20 Most Competitive Cities for High-Paying Jobs

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The U.S. job market in 2024 hasn’t been abysmal, but it’s not as robust as one would hope, and layoffs have scorched the land, with the tech sector being particularly hard hit.

Jobs that compensate well can be hard to come by, particularly in cities where there aren’t many positions available and where the median household income doesn’t exceed $100,000. 

In a new study, GOBankingRates analyzed U.S. metro areas to find the best-paying areas for high-paying jobs. We narrowed down the data to 20 metro areas that are most competitive when it comes to landing lucrative gigs.  

Duluth, Minnesota

• Most competitive job: Surgeon
• Number of surgeons: 60 
• Annual mean income for surgeon: $439,440 

Washington, D.C.

• Most competitive job: Cardiologist 
• Number of cardiologists: 200
• Annual mean income for cardiologist: $442,390 

Omaha, Nebraska

• Most competitive job: Cardiologist 
• Number of cardiologists: 110
• Annual mean income for cardiologist: $450,460 

Bridgeport, Connecticut

• Most competitive job: CEO
• Number of CEOs: 280  
• Annual mean income for CEO: $452,140 

Nashville, Tennessee

• Most competitive job: Cardiologist 
• Number of cardiologists: 230
• Annual mean income for cardiologist: $453,790 

Roanoke, Virginia

• Most competitive job: Orthopedic surgeon (except pediatric)
• Number of orthopedic surgeons: 30 
• Annual mean income for orthopedic surgeon: $455,270 

Portland, Oregon

• Most competitive job: Anesthesiologist
• Number of anesthesiologists: 330
• Annual mean income for anesthesiologist: $456,530

Detroit

• Most competitive job: Orthopedic surgeon
• Number of orthopedic surgeons: 180 
• Annual mean income for orthopedic surgeon: $457,200 

Syracuse, New York 

• Most competitive job: Cardiologist 
• Number of cardiologists: 40
• Annual mean income for cardiologist: $457,710 

Cincinnati

• Most competitive job: Neurologist
• Number of neurologists: 100
• Annual mean income for neurologist: $458,250  

Sioux Falls, South Dakota 

• Most competitive job: Radiologist
• Number of radiologists: 30
• Annual mean income for radiologist: $462,340 

Midland, Michigan

• Most competitive job: CEO
• Number of CEOs: 40  
• Annual mean income for CEO: $485,540 

Minneapolis 

• Most competitive job: Orthopedic surgeon
• Number of orthopedic surgeons: 170
• Annual mean income for orthopedic surgeon: $504,440 

Charlotte, North Carolina 

• Most competitive job: Surgeon
• Number of surgeons: 120 
• Annual mean income for surgeons: $509,650 

Kansas City, Missouri 

• Most competitive job: Dermatologist
• Number of dermatologists: 50   
• Annual mean income for dermatologist: $531,000 

Chattanooga, Tennessee 

• Most competitive job: Cardiologist
• Number of cardiologists: 60  
• Annual mean income for cardiologist: $546,750 

Cincinnati 

• Most competitive job: Cardiologist
• Number of cardiologists: 180 
• Annual mean income for cardiologist: $550,830 

Jacksonville, Florida

• Most competitive job: Cardiologist
• Number of cardiologists: 140  
• Annual mean income for cardiologist: $606,670 

Tallahassee, Florida 

• Most competitive job: Cardiologist
• Number of cardiologists: 30 
• Annual mean income for cardiologist: $715,170 

Denver

• Most competitive job: Athlete
• Number of jobs: 240
• Annual mean income for athletes: $1,805,790

Methodology. For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed U.S. metro areas to find the best-paying areas for high-paying jobs. GOBankingRates used the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages data to find the highest average annual income locations. For each location, a number of factors were found, including job title, annual mean income, hourly mean income and total employees, all sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages. All the metro areas were sorted to show the highest-paying occupations. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 12, 2024.

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