The 10 Best States to Start a Career In
Due to the current state of the economy, more and more people are struggling to make ends meet. This makes it more essential than ever for college graduates and other individuals who are starting out to pick their first job carefully. In many cases, your location has a direct impact on how successful or lucrative your career is. Find out which ten states you should consider living in to better your career.
Where Should You Live to Better Your Career
Most people think that living in an expensive state could be detrimental to their lifestyle. However, you’re more likely to be successful, have job security, and make a high salary if you live in states like New York and California. According to BestColleges.com, states like New York and California are ideal for starting a career.
Although New York and California have high costs of living, they offer ample opportunities to college graduates. After looking at the cost of living, entry-level salaries, and other details, BestColleges.com picked the ten best cities for starting off a career. If you’re considering a career change or just graduated from school, you should consider living in one of these states:
New York
California
Illinois
Texas
Colorado
Virginia
Washington
Michigan
Oklahoma
Maryland
Why These States?
So, what is it about these particular states that make them ideal for beginning a career? Take a closer look at New York. Despite having a high cost of living, the state has high entry-level salaries and more job openings. Employers in the state also tend to embrace diversity, which could make it easier for you to find work. Furthermore, the suburban areas offer affordable housing to those who can’t afford the high prices of city living.
Meanwhile, California is similar. It’s another state notorious for its high cost of living but has a high number of jobs and more opportunities for women and minorities. The rents in the state are extremely high, but some employers offer higher wages to make up for that.
Out of all the top five states, Illinois has the lowest cost of living. Every state on the list has advantages and disadvantages, so you need to consider what you want from your career and what you want from life. If you plan on entering a career with limited salary potential, you might want to avoid living in a state with a high cost of living. But if you’re more interested in finding a fun place to live, you should shift your sights to New York or Texas.
Does Location Matter
You might be wondering whether or not your location matters. Usually, it does. If you’re in the right place at the right time, you can skyrocket your career. With that said, there are times when your location isn’t that important.
For instance, you might have a job with many remote opportunities. In this case, you can live anywhere and have a successful career. Depending on your industry, you should look into remote positions for a better career. You may be able to stay where you are while finding a great work opportunity. Currently, there are more remote positions available than usual. The pandemic prompted many employers to switch to a work-from-home model
You might also find a great employer in a state that's not on this list. Rather than focus too much on your location, you should consider the salary and job title. Before you accept a job offer, you should always consider whether or not the salary is fair. Some employers are notorious for offering applicants less money than they deserve. When you apply for a job, read the reviews and find out whether or not the employer has a habit of underpaying their workers.
Other Ways to Deal with a Bad Location
If you’re not in the best state for your career, there are a few things you can do to make up for the situation. Here are a few tips for making more money:
Negotiate for Higher Pay
When you start applying for jobs, don’t be afraid to negotiate for a higher salary. You don’t need to accept the first offer you get, nor should you settle for less money than you deserve. Spend time researching a fair salary and have a candid conversation with your hiring manager. Citing statistics and facts, show the hiring manager why you deserve a better salary. If you’re not greedy, you may be able to convince them to agree to higher pay.
Of course, entry-level job applicants don’t have as many opportunities as experienced applicants. Keep your salary expectations realistic and only compare your salary with someone who has similar experience and education.
Pick the Right Career
You shouldn’t pick your career only for the money. However, you should be aware that some careers only have a low earning potential and should factor that into your decision. Before you pick a career, think about your financial and life goals. How much money do you need to make each month or year to be happy? As you research careers, consider the earning potential. If you can find a career tailored to your interests that pays well, you can live a very content life.
Take Advantage of a Lower Cost of Living
No matter where in the country you live, you can find a location with a relatively low cost of living compared to everywhere else. Even in places like Hawaii and California, there are rural areas with more affordable housing and food. You don’t need to stay in the heart of the city, and by living out of the city you could save thousands of dollars each year.
Therefore, you don’t need to say no to a job offer simply because it’s in an expensive place. You just might need to settle on a long commute or a more rural area. In the end, you can use this list of best states as a guideline but still find a job offer anywhere that works for you.