Best Cities for Job Growth

By Mary Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com writer

Florida isn't just for vacationers and retirees anymore. It seems the Sunshine State is also a hub for employers and businesses eager to expand and hire more workers.

Forbes.com recently released its annual list of the 200 Best Places for Businesses and Careers, and, among those places, five Florida cities ranked in the top 10 for U.S. cities with the highest job growth. Cape Coral, Fla. held the top spot for cities with the highest job growth. Las Vegas, Nev. ranked second, followed by Naples, Fla. and Sarasota, Fla. McAllen, Tex. rounded out the top five.

If you need a change of scenery and are thinking about relocating in the next few years, consider one of the following 10 cities, which are projected to have the highest job growth this year, as reported by Forbes.com and based on five-year projections from Economy.com.

Cape Coral, Fla.
Population: 562,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary*:
Registered nurses -- $44,561
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives -- $48,772
Accountants and auditors -- $41,609

Jobs more common to Cape Coral than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Helpers/roofers -- $19,634
Athletes and sports competitors -- $15,496
Construction managers -- $55,752

Las Vegas, Nev.
Population: 1,777,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Elementary school teachers -- $29,318
Registered nurses -- $51,869
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives -- $49,474

Jobs more common to Las Vegas than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Gaming supervisors -- $22,624
Gaming change persons and booth cashiers -- $23,016
Gaming service workers -- $12,879

Naples, Fla.
Population: 317,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses -- $47,015
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives -- $52,641
Accountants and auditors -- $41,363

Jobs more common to Naples than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Construction managers -- $67,005
Helpers -- painters, plasterers, paperhangers and stucco masons -- $19,753
Tile and marble setters -- $30,447

Sarasota, Fla.
Population: 689,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses -- $43,211
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives -- $48,643
Accountants and auditors -- $39,408

Jobs more common to Sarasota than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Fence erectors -- $24,917
Financial managers -- $75,189
Motorboat mechanics -- $27,961

McAllen, Tex.
Population: 697,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Elementary school teachers -- $36,246
Registered nurses -- $47,115
Secondary school teachers -- $39,915

Jobs more common to McAllen than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Personal and home care aids -- $16,142
Oil, gas and mining service unit operators -- $29,877
Agricultural products graders and sorters -- $12,472

Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Population: 391,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses -- $46,074
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives -- $39,025
Accountants and auditors -- $43,736

Jobs more common to Port St. Lucie than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Helpers -- painters, paperhangers, plasterers and stucco masons -- $25,097
Helpers -- roofers -- $18,240
Roofers -- $24,463

Riverside, Calif.
Population: 4,017,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Elementary school teachers -- $48,696
Registered nurses -- $58,573
Secondary school teachers -- $50,286

Jobs more common to Riverside than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Terazzo workers and finishers -- $32,930
Slot key persons -- $13,343
Automotive glass installers and repairers -- $42,514

Fayetteville, Ark.
Population: 417,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses -- $41,669
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives -- $43,358
Elementary school teachers -- $36,306

Jobs more common to Fayetteville than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Meat, poultry and fish cutters and trimmers -- $17,975
Agricultural inspectors -- $27,180
Purchasing managers -- $54,734

Ocala, Fla.
Population: 311,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses -- $44,557
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives -- $43,782
Loan officers -- $36,586

Jobs more common to Ocala than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Recreational vehicle service technicians -- $28,633
Farmworkers, farm and ranch hands -- $17,963
Nonfarm animal caretakers -- $17,209

Phoenix, Ariz.
Population: 3,976,000

Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Elementary school teachers -- $29,399
Registered nurses -- $50,755
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives -- $43,028

Jobs more common to Phoenix than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Aircraft structure surfaces, rigging and systems assemblers -- $35,324
Gaming and surveillance officers and gaming investigators -- $22,074
Umpires, referees and other sports officials -- $50,326