ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that Columbia, Maryland was named the best in Maryland and the third best in the Nation for best places to find a job, according to personal finance platform WalletHub’s 2025 list. Scottsdale, AZ took the top spot, while Pittsburg, PA came in second.
Time and time again, Columbia is recognized nationally for being an excellent place to live, work, play, grow, and thrive for all. This latest recognition is a welcome affirmation of our ongoing commitment to making Columbia a premier destination for job seekers and employers alike. Whether it’s our Columbia Gateway Master Plan or the revitalization of Downtown, Columbia continues to be a welcoming place for those who choose to live and work here.
WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities across 31 key indicators of job market strength such as job opportunities, employment growth and monthly average starting salary. Columbia ranked first in Maryland and third nationally overall, in part due to having the highest median household income in the country at nearly $124,000, adjusted for the cost of living.
In addition, rent prices are relatively affordable for the high quality of life and amenities, helping offset the costs of living with the median income. The average annual fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around 16% of the median household income in Columbia. That’s the sixth-lowest percentage in the country.
“Columbia’s recognition as one of the top places in the nation to find a job reflects the strength of our local economy, the innovation of our businesses, and the resilience of our workforce,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO, Howard County Economic Development Authority. “Howard County continues to create an environment where businesses can thrive, and employees can build meaningful careers. This ranking underscores our commitment to fostering economic opportunity and maintaining a dynamic job market.”
In terms of job security, WalletHub’s analysts found that jobs in Columbia have the ninth-lowest share of jobs that are likely to be automated in the near future. Automation and AI threaten many jobs; however, Columbia’s current supply of jobs seems to be relatively safe from being eliminated by advanced technology.
We are thrilled, but not surprised, that Columbia ranks so highly as one of the best cities for jobs. Our Office of Workforce Development has worked diligently to create and promote programs, like our Youth Apprenticeship Program, to make sure our job force is trained and ready for the workforce. Working together with the Howard County Economic Development Authority, we are tackling it from all angles to unite workers with jobs to create meaningful employment.
Columbia also ranks fourth when it comes to net employment outlook, which measures the quarterly percentage of employers who expect to add employees minus the percentage who expect to have fewer of them.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s most recent available statistics in November 2024, Howard County’s projected unemployment rate is 2.6 percent, ranking second in the state behind Carroll County at 2.4 percent. The state unemployment rate for November is projected at 3.3 percent.
At number 45, Baltimore is the only other Maryland city on WalletHub’s list, while neighboring Washington, D.C. came in at 8. For the complete list of rankings, visit WalletHub.
Last year, Columbia was named Best U.S. City to Live in Maryland and Best City to Live and Raise a Family in Maryland.