Atlanta named best place to start a career

by Elizabeth Kanzeg

May 13, 2025

Atlanta offers everything young professionals need to get a head start, according to a new report from WalletHub, which named Atlanta the best city in the nation for starting a career.

The personal finance company used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other sources for its research. After ranking over 180 U.S. cities based on metrics like the availability of entry-level jobs and housing affordability, Atlanta came out on top.

The median annual household income in Atlanta sits just above the national median at $85,400. The city’s median household income also grows around 8.2% annually, one of the fastest rates in the nation.

Additionally, Atlanta offers plentiful access to entry-level jobs and jobs at companies that are rated at least 4 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor.com. Atlantans also reported high rates of satisfaction with their jobs.

The city holds opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs as well, ranking eighth among the best large cities to start a business.

Beyond its appeal as a career launching point, Atlanta offers a high quality of life. WalletHub named it the best city for singles and the fourth most fun city in the nation.

“The best cities for starting a career not only have a lot of job opportunities but also provide substantial income growth potential and satisfying work conditions,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. It’s also important to consider factors such as how fun a city is to live in or how good of a place it is for raising a family, to ensure life satisfaction outside of your career.”