One of the biggest issues in starting a small business is hiring. Due to various factors you need to consider, hiring talented small business employees is always a challenge.
But there’s a way to access some of the best talents for your small business: Establish your business in a city attractive to job seekers.
CardHub released a study which purposes is to identify small business employees-friendly U.S. cities – and rank them from the best to the worst in term of overall attractiveness for job seekers.
The study is on small businesses in the 30 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., measuring 10 metrics, such as small business job growth and average wages for new hires.
Here’s an interesting commentary on the Top 10 list from HuffPost Live:
Without further adieu, here are the 10 most attractive U.S. cities for small business job seekers:
#10: Kansas City
Located in Mid West, it’s actually not the best place to start a small business. Kansas City doesn’t have an exceptional small business growth rate, but the low stress level has its own appeal. It’s a great place for job seekers: They are happy and making enough money.
#9: Tampa, Florida
The hard-hit recession area is recovering, and that means contractors, roofers, builders and so on are in need for employees to response to the opportunities.
#8-#6: Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston
Texas is booming – ’nuff said.
#5: San Francisco
THE city for entrepreneurs; with Silicon Valley continues to be the go-to place to start a business, there are always needs for employees to support the startup growth. One of the major reasons why San Francisco is not ranked higher in the list is due to the high living costs.
#4: Seattle
With thriving shipping and manufacturing sectors, not mentioning the number of startups headquartered in Seattle, Seattle is THE city for both small business owners and employees. Along with nice areas to live in, it’s a great place to work for small businesses.
#3: Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers great cost-benefit for small business job seekers. Although there is not much job creation in the region, the low cost of living and least competition for jobs are very much attractive.
#2: Boston
Boston doesn’t have a lot of growth, but the well-established small businesses are attractive to job seekers who enjoy living in a busy city with plenty of opportunities to choose from, enough to subset the fairly high cost of living.
#1: Denver
Denver, Colorado tops the Top 10 list. With 90% of businesses in Denver are classified as small businesses, it’s truly a city for small business employees. The small business workforce is growing at the second fastest rate in the U.S. The city also boasts fifth highest wages for new hires. With a more laid back style of living, it’s probably the best place in the U.S. for job seekers.
What about you? What’s your favorite U.S. city to live and work in?
Photo credit: Wally Gobetz
