Best Places for Summer Jobs

Adam McCann, Financial WriterMay 26, 2021

Adam McCann, Financial Writer
May 26, 2021

Summer isn’t just a season of relaxing and planning vacations. For some people, especially young adults, the warmer months are a time to gain extra spending money or work experience. With states continuing to relax their COVID-19 restrictions as a growing number of Americans get vaccinated, people can find summer jobs in industries that are returning to full capacity, like dining, entertainment and tourism.

But where you look for a summer job will matter almost as much as what you do. Naturally, 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 23 key indicators of employment outlook, affordability and downtime-friendliness. Our data set ranges from the median income of part-time workers to the availability of summer jobs to COVID-19 cases.

Table of Contents

Main Findings Ask the Experts Methodology

Main Findings

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Best Places to Get a Summer Job

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Youth Job Market	Social Environment & Affordability
1	Scottsdale, AZ	70.00	2	9
2	Bismarck, ND	68.43	1	81
3	Cheyenne, WY	67.06	3	31
4	Billings, MT	63.40	5	47
5	Salt Lake City, UT	62.80	7	41
6	Overland Park, KS	60.08	11	18
7	Juneau, AK	59.89	15	13
8	Charleston, WV	59.78	4	175
9	Boise, ID	59.68	13	15
10	Portland, ME	59.55	19	6
11	Missoula, MT	58.56	12	59
12	Columbia, MD	58.29	36	5
13	West Valley City, UT	58.28	10	98
14	South Burlington, VT	58.12	21	16
15	Minneapolis, MN	57.99	18	44
16	Rapid City, SD	57.90	20	21
17	Tempe, AZ	57.73	17	57
18	Dover, DE	57.61	6	178
19	Chandler, AZ	57.05	26	24
20	Fargo, ND	57.04	9	140
21	Columbia, SC	57.02	8	160
22	Charleston, SC	57.01	14	105
23	Glendale, AZ	56.86	24	34
24	St. Paul, MN	56.68	16	100
25	St. Louis, MO	56.50	22	58
26	Lincoln, NE	55.95	30	29
27	Sioux Falls, SD	55.93	28	38
28	Wilmington, DE	55.81	31	26
29	Springfield, MO	55.60	23	85
30	Austin, TX	55.38	40	23
31	Madison, WI	55.36	27	68
32	Little Rock, AR	55.27	35	35
33	Omaha, NE	55.08	32	56
34	Denver, CO	54.80	54	11
35	Grand Rapids, MI	54.11	25	135
36	Plano, TX	53.93	38	84
37	Kansas City, MO	53.77	52	32
38	Gilbert, AZ	53.73	34	106
39	Richmond, VA	53.65	46	69
40	Mesa, AZ	53.59	43	79
41	Casper, WY	53.48	63	22
42	Warwick, RI	53.44	29	128
43	Virginia Beach, VA	53.33	53	50
44	Salem, OR	53.16	44	95
45	Cincinnati, OH	53.14	56	52
46	Pearl City, HI	53.10	62	45
47	Seattle, WA	53.02	91	4
48	Fort Smith, AR	52.83	45	110
49	Huntsville, AL	52.81	50	87
50	Des Moines, IA	52.31	61	61
51	Louisville, KY	52.12	55	90
52	Amarillo, TX	52.08	37	148
53	Fort Wayne, IN	52.06	41	137
54	Colorado Springs, CO	52.05	39	144
55	Nampa, ID	52.04	42	141
56	Oklahoma City, OK	51.96	58	82
57	Peoria, AZ	51.92	51	113
58	Huntington Beach, CA	51.72	81	17
59	Atlanta, GA	51.68	69	49
60	Phoenix, AZ	51.67	70	42
61	Pittsburgh, PA	51.60	64	75
62	Tulsa, OK	51.30	57	120
63	Nashua, NH	51.25	49	145
64	Mobile, AL	51.20	74	48
65	Tucson, AZ	51.08	97	12
66	Chesapeake, VA	51.04	65	91
67	Reno, NV	50.94	103	10
68	Grand Prairie, TX	50.93	47	161
69	Cedar Rapids, IA	50.86	79	54
70	Knoxville, TN	50.80	72	65
71	Irving, TX	50.71	48	159
72	Columbus, OH	50.62	71	78
73	Raleigh, NC	50.47	75	71
74	San Antonio, TX	50.29	87	60
75	Huntington, WV	50.15	59	146
76	Milwaukee, WI	49.91	78	88
77	Manchester, NH	49.91	73	100
78	Lexington-Fayette, KY	49.74	68	127
79	Gulfport, MS	49.74	77	97
80	Rochester, NY	49.62	88	70
81	Lewiston, ME	49.62	33	177
82	Lubbock, TX	49.61	60	156
83	Anchorage, AK	49.53	102	36
84	Portland, OR	49.50	124	8
85	Buffalo, NY	49.43	90	77
86	St. Petersburg, FL	49.37	86	92
87	Tampa, FL	49.36	66	147
88	Garden Grove, CA	49.00	110	25
89	Fort Lauderdale, FL	48.90	83	118
90	Spokane, WA	48.85	82	121
91	Indianapolis, IN	48.78	84	122
92	Wichita, KS	48.75	80	129
93	Akron, OH	48.61	76	134
94	Albuquerque, NM	48.17	118	40
94	Sacramento, CA	48.17	123	28
96	Dallas, TX	48.13	100	93
97	Chattanooga, TN	48.11	94	111
98	Durham, NC	48.10	98	108
99	Nashville, TN	48.07	115	55
100	Tacoma, WA	47.72	117	53
101	Jacksonville, FL	47.64	114	73
102	Montgomery, AL	47.42	89	151
103	Burlington, VT	47.41	126	63
104	Charlotte, NC	47.37	111	94
105	Houston, TX	47.36	128	37
106	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	47.33	108	96
107	Aurora, CO	47.31	85	162
108	Modesto, CA	47.23	107	107
109	Norfolk, VA	47.19	95	138
110	Jackson, MS	47.16	99	131
111	Fort Worth, TX	46.92	104	123
112	New Haven, CT	46.81	112	114
113	Arlington, TX	46.76	101	136
114	Garland, TX	46.75	96	149
115	Newport News, VA	46.75	106	124
116	Irvine, CA	46.68	116	104
117	Birmingham, AL	46.59	92	164
118	Washington, DC	46.31	155	2
119	Greensboro, NC	46.29	105	143
120	Brownsville, TX	46.18	67	179
121	San Francisco, CA	45.81	170	1
122	Toledo, OH	45.81	93	170
123	Glendale, CA	45.77	139	33
124	Orlando, FL	45.70	129	86
125	Winston-Salem, NC	45.61	122	126
126	Fayetteville, NC	45.54	121	132
127	El Paso, TX	45.52	113	150
128	Riverside, CA	45.18	133	89
129	Fresno, CA	45.17	135	83
130	Las Cruces, NM	44.94	127	142
131	Vancouver, WA	44.87	137	76
132	Santa Rosa, CA	44.82	147	27
133	Honolulu, HI	44.72	167	3
134	Cleveland, OH	44.71	131	115
135	Bakersfield, CA	44.62	130	125
136	Cape Coral, FL	44.46	119	165
137	Yonkers, NY	44.33	146	39
138	Worcester, MA	44.17	143	80
139	San Diego, CA	44.06	164	7
140	Port St. Lucie, FL	43.94	109	172
141	Shreveport, LA	43.63	141	117
142	Fremont, CA	43.53	144	112
143	Ontario, CA	43.41	138	133
144	Oceanside, CA	43.31	151	51
145	Baltimore, MD	43.16	134	153
146	Corpus Christi, TX	42.74	120	173
147	Oakland, CA	42.66	160	46
148	San Jose, CA	42.62	157	66
149	Stockton, CA	42.55	132	167
150	Boston, MA	42.44	168	19
151	Las Vegas, NV	42.31	166	30
152	Tallahassee, FL	42.26	136	168
153	Oxnard, CA	42.25	159	62
154	Anaheim, CA	42.15	158	74
155	Augusta, GA	42.07	125	176
156	Chula Vista, CA	42.01	152	109
157	Laredo, TX	41.98	140	166
158	Santa Ana, CA	41.79	156	99
159	Moreno Valley, CA	41.72	153	103
160	Fontana, CA	41.45	149	139
161	San Bernardino, CA	40.70	148	163
162	New Orleans, LA	40.63	172	43
163	Henderson, NV	40.35	171	67
164	Columbus, GA	40.17	142	174
165	Jersey City, NJ	40.13	165	119
166	Newark, NJ	39.68	169	116
167	Providence, RI	39.48	150	171
168	Bridgeport, CT	39.41	173	72
169	Baton Rouge, LA	39.34	161	158
170	Aurora, IL	39.09	162	155
171	Memphis, TN	39.00	163	157
172	Detroit, MI	37.97	145	181
173	Chicago, IL	37.79	179	20
174	Pembroke Pines, FL	36.85	154	180
175	Los Angeles, CA	36.51	181	14
176	Long Beach, CA	35.97	180	64
177	Philadelphia, PA	35.37	176	154
178	Miami, FL	35.33	175	169
179	North Las Vegas, NV	35.14	177	152
180	Santa Clarita, CA	34.50	178	130
181	Hialeah, FL	32.50	174	182
182	New York, NY	28.39	182	102

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

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 during the pandemic?
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?
Will a faster rollout of the vaccine help the rebound of the labor market, and thus help summer employment?

Ask the Experts

: David Earnhardt
M.Ed. – Associate Director for Employer Relations, Career Center University of North Carolina Asheville
Read More

: Matthew Joseph
Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Psychology, and Special Education, School of Education – Duquesne University
Read More

: Alicia Davis
Career Specialist, The Office of Career Development – Bronx Community College
Read More

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 23 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 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 in the labor force.
Summer Employment Growth: Double Weight (~10.71 Points)
Note: This metric measures the change in employment during summer 2020 and during summer 2019.
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: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Unemployment Rate of Population Aged 16 to 24: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Net Employment Outlook: Full Weight (~5.36 Points)
Note: 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: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Share of Population Aged 16 to 24 in Poverty: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Minimum Wage: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: Data for this metric were available at the state level only.
Rental Price as Share of Median Income: Full Weight (~1.79 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 (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of commuters who use public transit.
Commuter-Friendliness of Jobs: Full Weight (~1.79 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 (~1.79 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 (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Most Fun Cities in America” ranking.
Active-Lifestyle-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for an Active Lifestyle” ranking.
Singles-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Singles” ranking.
Average Daily COVID-19 Deaths in the Past Week per Capita: Double Weight (~3.57 Points)
Average Daily COVID-19 Cases in the Past Week per Capita: Double Weight (~3.57 Points)

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, The New York Times and WalletHub research.

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