moon 2007-1-12 01:20 PM
15 Great Cities for Job Seekers
The harsh truth of job-hunting is that in some cities, no matter how hard you look, there just aren't enough jobs to go around. Since a low unemployment rate is an indication of a city with a proportionate number of jobs for its population, it stands to reason that cities with minimal unemployment rates represent promising economic environments for job seekers. .Op"} cX%]Gow K
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The 15 cities in this list have unemployment rates well below the national average (4.5 percent in November 2006, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). To create a comprehensive portrait of the employment conditions of each area, we've also included the mean annual wage as well as the most prevalent local industries and occupations. Local chamber of commerce and tourism Web sites are additional resources for job seekers interested in learning more about a specific location.
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1. Fargo, N.D.(ou)M:a~
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Unemployment rate: 1.5 percent *
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Mean annual wage: $32,580*
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Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (22.8 percent)**
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Predominant occupation: 33.4 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations**
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2. Bismarck, N.D.1`;G6s Q,T;J
Unemployment rate: 1.9 percent
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Mean annual wage: $31,580H;?$|6a:] D
Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (32.7 percent)V}$s0v%A
Predominant occupation: 38.2 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
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3. Logan, Utah
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Unemployment rate: 2.2 percent F#c4u R C*B9n
Mean annual wage: $29,520
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Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (29.1 percent)c3JJ'S [0@(|3y1I_
Predominant occupation: 32.7 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations R ^3Sh9}
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4. St. George, Utah
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Unemployment rate: 2.2 percent %_ Q } ^
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Mean annual wage: $29,770
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Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (18.1 percent)
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Predominant occupation: 29.2 percent of workers are employed in sales and office occupations
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5. Ames, Iowa
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Unemployment rate: 2.3 percent
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Mean annual wage: $36,050.VjVG'Q2mv3\
Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (39.1 percent) f8L1vu!q(D2j#\1t
Predominant occupation: 47.3 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
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6. Idaho Falls, Idaho
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Unemployment rate: 2.3 percent .W5V(? ? ou U GU
Mean annual wage: $32,9705X
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Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management services (19 percent)
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Predominant occupation: 37.9 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
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7. Billings, Mont.!t'@"sh7KJw
Unemployment rate: 2.4 percent
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Mean annual wage: $31,290#W8A.J cQ(m.ac*A
Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (21.4 percent) i^.Pw-M)}
Predominant occupation: 31.9 percent of workers are employed in sales and office occupations
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8. Charlottesville, Va.
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Unemployment rate: 2.4 percent
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Mean annual wage: $38,490:a&S Rn J9? T*y#H
Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (39.3 percent)-B ?-p/Q&X,[)H/G
Predominant occupation: 44 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
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9. Iowa City, Iowa
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Unemployment rate: 2.4 percent
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Mean annual wage: $32,5306TqC v$sU)M%u%]
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Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (44.3 percent)?-C+l d*R4G8]T
Predominant occupation: 43.6 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations;S H rI k&N
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10. Provo-Orem, Utah
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Unemployment rate: 2.4 percent +J"] u k9On|r
Mean annual wage: $38,490
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Industry with largest percentage of workforce (Provo): Educational, health and social services (32.7 percent)
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Predominant occupation (Provo): 38.3 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations RN
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[b]11. Sioux City, S.D.[/b]/{/eE*~$E m.u
Unemployment rate: 2.4 percent n3z(h+Bz"I)gJt
Mean annual wage: $31,340
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Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (19.8 percent)v#[/[h6Mj
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Predominant occupation: 33.2 percent of workers are employed in sales and office occupations&x y(N6u y"q*r9H
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[b]12. Boise City-Nampa, Idaho[/b] O6BZ/P R!Z
Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent
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Mean annual wage: $35,330hn S%s$J-tu kaE*j
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Industry with largest percentage of workforce (Boise City): Educational, health and social services (17.8 percent)E-|*^6Z*Q/Cs5x+Y tvqu
Predominant occupation (Boise City): 38.8 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
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[b]13. Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Fla.[/b]
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Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent
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Mean annual wage: $32,430 H2n }&D g2j x)w
Industry with largest percentage of workforce (Fort Walton Beach): Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (15.7 percent)'V8} R:\bF'N5u%N
Predominant occupation (Fort Walton Beach): 30.3 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations)R7Ng(^%W.zz)Z5Q a
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[b]14. Huntsville, Ala.[/b]
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Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent \r4s"p
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Mean annual wage: $39,540Y
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Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (19.7 percent) l r6O5b c_
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Predominant occupation: 44.3 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupationsbi'Q J#i vP
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[b]15. Lincoln, Neb.[/b]
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Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent x r@6k%tC!M9Kzgi
Mean annual wage: $34,020 J4T7upz.D3G{&S+sV
Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (24 percent)$j/Q?.R)f,y%OW
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Predominant occupation: 36 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
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* Unemployment rates and annual wages obtained from BLS in September 2006.4\#LH6E(Oyi/j
** Industry percentages and predominant occupations obtained from 2000 census.