Best Places for Summer Jobs

Adam McCann, Financial WriterMay 21, 2019

Adam McCann, Financial Writer
May 21, 2019

Summer isn't just a season of daily walks on the beach or picnics at the park. For some people, especially young adults, the warmer months are a time to gain extra spending money or work experience.

But whether you need or want a summer job, where you look for one will matter almost as much as what you do. Obviously, opportunities will be more widely available in some places than in others. And while a job may pay well in one city, the same position may not pay as much in another. Minimum-wage laws and local costs, for instance, will determine how much you earn and consequently what you’ll be able to afford in terms of housing, transportation and social activities. More importantly, if you’re supporting yourself, location will dictate how much of your income you’ll be able to save if that’s your goal.

With summer-job seekers in mind, WalletHub compared the relative strength of more than 180 markets in the U.S. across 21 key indicators of employment outlook, affordability and downtime-friendliness. Our data set ranges from median income of part-time workers to availability of summer jobs to rental price for a one-bedroom property. Read on for the complete ranking, job-hunting advice from a panel of experts and a full description of our methodology.

Table of Contents

Main Findings Ask the Experts Methodology

Main Findings

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Best Places to Get a Summer Job

Overall Rank (1=Best)	City	Total Score	‘Youth Job Market’ Rank	‘Social Environment & Affordability’ Rank
1	Orlando, FL	68.66	2	13
2	Scottsdale, AZ	68.15	3	6
3	Denver, CO	66.41	4	8
4	Dover, DE	65.59	1	181
5	Wilmington, DE	63.17	5	25
6	Portland, ME	62.96	13	7
7	Las Vegas, NV	62.51	12	11
8	Austin, TX	62.40	7	29
9	Columbia, MD	62.09	10	14
10	Fort Lauderdale, FL	61.77	11	15
11	Salt Lake City, UT	61.73	8	52
12	San Francisco, CA	61.37	29	1
13	Charleston, SC	60.81	6	97
14	Boston, MA	60.63	16	19
15	Rapid City, SD	60.31	9	62
16	Minneapolis, MN	60.08	23	9
17	Atlanta, GA	59.71	14	57
18	Seattle, WA	59.47	43	2
19	Tampa, FL	59.18	18	39
20	Richmond, VA	58.75	15	96
21	St. Paul, MN	58.45	26	18
22	Pittsburgh, PA	58.31	22	38
23	Raleigh, NC	58.09	17	69
24	St. Louis, MO	58.03	32	16
25	Washington, DC	57.92	52	4
26	Grand Rapids, MI	57.39	25	47
27	Colorado Springs, CO	57.32	33	33
28	Warwick, RI	57.13	20	92
29	Miami, FL	56.84	30	45
30	Worcester, MA	56.81	19	104
31	Portland, OR	56.74	63	5
32	Boise, ID	56.70	37	30
33	Virginia Beach, VA	56.62	31	51
34	Dallas, TX	56.42	24	86
35	Cincinnati, OH	56.22	46	23
36	Honolulu, HI	55.81	86	3
37	Reno, NV	55.70	49	27
38	Henderson, NV	55.69	39	44
39	Des Moines, IA	55.69	36	64
40	Chattanooga, TN	55.63	21	122
41	Indianapolis, IN	55.31	34	83
42	Buffalo, NY	54.97	61	24
43	Providence, RI	54.96	35	100
44	Albuquerque, NM	54.58	50	54
45	Rochester, NY	54.51	82	10
46	Juneau, AK	54.32	56	53
47	Nashville, TN	54.07	53	65
48	Plano, TX	54.01	27	140
49	St. Petersburg, FL	53.99	55	61
50	Nashua, NH	53.97	28	148
51	Huntsville, AL	53.71	42	102
52	Jacksonville, FL	53.68	62	55
53	Chandler, AZ	53.53	71	35
54	Sioux Falls, SD	53.50	74	32
55	Los Angeles, CA	53.38	70	41
56	Durham, NC	53.37	38	110
57	Baltimore, MD	53.16	77	37
58	Madison, WI	53.13	57	88
59	Charleston, WV	53.02	47	107
60	Fort Wayne, IN	53.01	40	115
61	Irvine, CA	52.95	54	103
62	San Diego, CA	52.88	90	22
63	Houston, TX	52.86	73	46
64	Charlotte, NC	52.81	58	98
65	Columbia, SC	52.70	45	133
66	Greensboro, NC	52.53	44	130
67	Billings, MT	52.50	79	48
68	Bismarck, ND	52.47	48	134
69	Manchester, NH	52.46	41	139
70	Tempe, AZ	52.43	83	42
71	Overland Park, KS	52.30	69	74
72	Cedar Rapids, IA	52.28	66	87
73	Oklahoma City, OK	52.02	64	101
74	Tacoma, WA	51.99	94	34
75	Tulsa, OK	51.89	60	114
76	Aurora, CO	51.76	68	95
77	Chicago, IL	51.73	127	12
78	Omaha, NE	51.64	103	36
78	Cleveland, OH	51.64	80	73
80	Birmingham, AL	51.49	59	137
81	Sacramento, CA	51.47	100	40
82	Little Rock, AR	51.05	89	72
83	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	50.83	88	78
84	Phoenix, AZ	50.82	120	28
85	Lewiston, ME	50.66	51	170
86	Lincoln, NE	50.65	107	49
87	Louisville, KY	50.62	95	70
88	Oakland, CA	50.57	130	17
89	Mobile, AL	50.47	87	94
90	Glendale, CA	50.44	101	63
91	Knoxville, TN	50.38	67	142
92	Kansas City, MO	50.37	99	71
93	Springfield, MO	50.12	75	124
94	Akron, OH	50.01	98	82
95	Columbus, OH	49.86	104	80
96	West Valley City, UT	49.82	105	81
97	Burlington, VT	49.78	76	129
98	Salem, OR	49.75	114	59
99	Glendale, AZ	49.65	106	84
100	Lexington-Fayette, KY	49.62	81	126
101	Philadelphia, PA	49.37	113	77
102	Norfolk, VA	49.35	84	131
103	South Burlington, VT	49.23	115	76
104	New Orleans, LA	49.17	126	58
105	Amarillo, TX	49.16	96	113
106	Chesapeake, VA	49.09	97	111
107	Huntington Beach, CA	49.07	129	50
108	Mesa, AZ	49.04	123	67
109	Vancouver, WA	48.90	119	79
110	Irving, TX	48.82	78	160
111	Huntington, WV	48.69	85	144
112	Fremont, CA	48.37	124	85
113	New York, NY	48.25	157	21
114	Fargo, ND	48.21	108	117
115	Gulfport, MS	48.17	92	156
116	Tucson, AZ	48.12	152	26
117	Augusta, GA	48.07	65	180
118	Newport News, VA	47.80	93	167
119	Nampa, ID	47.77	72	179
120	Columbus, GA	47.58	102	153
121	Milwaukee, WI	47.34	144	55
122	Santa Rosa, CA	47.32	128	105
123	North Las Vegas, NV	47.27	110	150
124	Memphis, TN	47.20	109	147
125	San Antonio, TX	47.19	142	66
126	Peoria, AZ	47.13	132	106
127	Missoula, MT	47.09	122	138
128	San Jose, CA	46.91	139	89
129	Ontario, CA	46.90	121	141
130	Winston-Salem, NC	46.82	112	157
131	Toledo, OH	46.65	118	149
132	Spokane, WA	46.58	164	31
133	Anchorage, AK	46.54	140	99
134	Baton Rouge, LA	46.48	111	164
135	Riverside, CA	46.43	131	127
136	Modesto, CA	46.38	154	68
137	Wichita, KS	46.36	133	125
138	Gilbert, AZ	46.32	134	123
139	Fresno, CA	46.21	125	145
140	Montgomery, AL	46.20	116	163
141	Lubbock, TX	46.11	91	177
142	Tallahassee, FL	46.11	117	165
143	Cheyenne, WY	45.63	137	128
144	Casper, WY	45.56	146	108
145	Shreveport, LA	45.40	141	121
146	Jersey City, NJ	45.36	170	43
147	San Bernardino, CA	45.14	136	155
148	Fort Smith, AR	45.10	135	161
149	New Haven, CT	44.99	163	90
150	Fayetteville, NC	44.75	138	154
151	Bakersfield, CA	44.69	155	119
152	Port St. Lucie, FL	44.33	147	146
153	Long Beach, CA	44.08	168	91
154	Las Cruces, NM	44.03	150	143
155	Detroit, MI	44.02	162	120
156	Pearl City, HI	44.00	169	93
157	El Paso, TX	43.99	148	152
158	Cape Coral, FL	43.91	159	132
159	Oceanside, CA	43.71	165	109
160	Fontana, CA	43.61	156	158
161	Fort Worth, TX	43.53	151	159
162	Pembroke Pines, FL	43.42	153	162
163	Stockton, CA	43.33	149	166
164	Aurora, IL	43.25	143	171
165	Garden Grove, CA	43.10	180	20
166	Arlington, TX	42.62	145	173
167	Moreno Valley, CA	42.51	160	168
168	Yonkers, NY	42.49	177	75
169	Santa Ana, CA	42.41	171	112
170	Newark, NJ	42.34	179	60
171	Grand Prairie, TX	41.89	161	174
172	Garland, TX	41.85	158	175
173	Oxnard, CA	41.71	172	116
174	Corpus Christi, TX	40.94	175	135
175	Brownsville, TX	40.93	167	172
176	Jackson, MS	40.74	166	176
177	Anaheim, CA	40.49	173	151
178	Bridgeport, CT	39.43	181	136
179	Chula Vista, CA	39.05	178	169
180	Hialeah, FL	38.43	176	178
181	Laredo, TX	37.10	174	182
182	Santa Clarita, CA	34.17	182	118

Ask the Experts

As with searching for permanent employment, finding part-time, seasonal or temporary work can be challenging. For advice on overcoming those obstacles, we asked a panel of experts to answer the following key questions:

What tips do you have for a young person searching for a summer job or internship?
What types of summer jobs or internships will best equip young people with the skills and experiences they need to secure a full-time career after graduation?
What are the most common mistakes young people make when taking a summer job or internship?
How can local authorities encourage companies to provide summer jobs or internships for young people? Should the government subsidize the cost of summer employment for young people?
In evaluating the best cities for summer jobs, what are the top five indicators?

Ask the Experts

: Rachel Klemme Larson
Ph.D. – Director, Business Career Center, College of Business, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Read More

: Flore Dorcely-Mohr
Senior Director, Career Services (Online and Paramus), Berkeley College
Read More

: Katherine Weinzapfel
Career Coordinator, Career Services and Internships, Adjunct - Academic Skills, University of Southern Indiana
Read More

: Robbin Beauchamp
M.S., GCDF – Director of Cooperative Education and Career Development, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Read More

: Kim Stack
Ph.D. – Director, Center for Career and Experiential Education CCEE, University College for Academic Success UCAS, University of Rhode Island
Read More

: Alyssa Laskowski
Student Employment & Federal Work Study Program Coordinator, Office of Career and Professional Success (CaPS), Butler University
Read More

More Experts

Methodology

In order to determine the best cities for summer jobs, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across two key dimensions, “Youth Job Market” and “Social Environment & Affordability.” Our sample considers only the city proper in each case and excludes cities in the surrounding metro area.

We evaluated the two dimensions using 21 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for individuals seeking summer work.

We then determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Youth Job Market – Total Points: 75

Availability of Summer Jobs: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of part-time and temporary jobs per total civilian population aged 16 to 24 years in the labor force.
Availability of Internships: Double Weight (~10.71 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of internship listings per total civilian population aged 16 to 24 years in the labor force.
Summer Employment Growth: Double Weight (~10.71 Points)
Note: This metric measures the change in employment during summer 2018 and during summer 2017.
Summer Employment Bump: Double Weight (~10.71 Points)
Note: This metric measures the difference in employment during summer versus year-round. A higher difference favors summer employment.
Labor-Force Participation Rate of Population Aged 16 to 24 Years: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Unemployment Rate of Population Aged 16 to 24 Years: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Net Employment Outlook: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Notes: This metric measures the percentage of employers who expect to add employees minus the percentage who expect to have fewer, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
Ratio of Part-Time Workers to Full-Time Workers: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of part-time employees per 100 full-time employees.
Median Income of Part-Time Workers: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living.
Share of Insured Part-Time Workers: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Note: “Insured” refers to those with health-insurance coverage.

Social Environment & Affordability – Total Points: 25

Share of Population Aged 16 to 24 Years: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Share of Population Aged 16 to 24 Years in Poverty: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Minimum Wage: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: Data for this metric were available at the state level only.
Rental Price as Share of Median Income: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric measures the rental price for a one-bedroom property as a share of the median income of part-time workers.
Access to Public Transportation: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of commuters who use public transit.
Commuter-Friendliness of Jobs: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of jobs accessible by a 30-minute transit ride per total civilian employed population.
Annual Costs of Public Transportation Pass for Part-Time Workers: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric measures annual costs of public transportation pass as a share of the median income of part-time workers.
Fun-Friendliness: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s Most Fun Cities in America ranking.
Active-Lifestyle-Friendliness: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s Best & Worst Cities for an Active Lifestyle ranking.
Singles-Friendliness: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s Best & Worst Cities for Singles ranking.

Videos for News Use:

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, ManpowerGroup, Chmura Economics & Analytics, Council for Community and Economic Research, Indeed.com, Internships.com, Department of Housing and Urban Development, National Conference of State Legislatures, Numbeo, Center for Neighborhood Technology and WalletHub research.

Image: paulette kaytor / Shutterstock.com

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