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Where new grads are finding jobs
May 4, 2026
AI Analysis: Bandwagon
Posted 1 hour ago by
Fast-growing Southern metros offer the best job opportunities for college graduates, according to a new study.The big picture: Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa Bay, Florida, top the list, based on payroll processor ADP's ranking of 20-something hiring rates, wages and affordability.The rest of the top 10 metros are:San Jose, CaliforniaColumbus, OhioRaleigh, North CarolinaTulsa, OklahomaSan FranciscoNashville, TennesseeCharlotte, North CarolinaNew YorkAt the bottom of the rankings are:Salt Lake CityRiverside, CaliforniaSan DiegoPortland, OregonWhat they're saying: Even graduates who do land jobs in these metros face a tough financial tradeoff in the form of high cost of living, ADP's Sam Adieze wrote about the bottom four metros in the report.Researchers analyzed 53 U.S.
metro areas with populations of at least 1 million.The bottom line: Entry-level hiring is rebounding this spring — but in a tough job market, young professionals' prospects may depend on the role, sector and location, the Wall Street Journal reports.
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Technique: Bandwagon
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