While fast-growing cities like Raleigh and Nashville boast thriving job markets and high earnings, other major U.S. cities are struggling with low employment and declining wages.

Checkr ranked the 100 largest U.S. cities based on employment opportunity and earning potential, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Each city’s employment opportunity score is based on its unemployment rate, labor force growth, labor force size and percentage of jobs open. The earning potential score is sourced from the city’s real per capita personal income, 10-year income growth and the percentage of households earning more than $200,000.

According to Sam Radbil, research and content strategist at Checkr, the lowest-ranked cities on the list face a variety of economic challenges, including slow job growth, overreliance on declining industries, low median wages and high unemployment and poverty rates.

Though some of these cities may offer a more affordable cost of living, they often suffer from “stagnant” employment and draw in few new businesses, he says.

These 10 U.S. cities scored the lowest for job opportunities and earning potential, according to Checkr.

Bakersfield, CAScranton, PAMcAllen, TXFresno, CAMemphis, TNJackson, MSRochester, NYToledo, OHAugusta, GASpokane, WA

Bakersfield, Scranton and McAllen had particularly low scores on Checkr’s employment opportunity metric, Radbil says.

One major factor is a lack of high-growth industries. Bakersfield and Fresno are largely reliant on the agriculture and energy sectors, Radbil says, while Rust Belt cities like Scranton and Rochester are still suffering from the effects of industrial and manufacturing declines.

According to Radbil, the above industries also tend to require on-site work, which limits opportunities for remote workers.

Even in cities with more employment opportunities, a better job market doesn’t guarantee higher earnings.

“While jobs are difficult to find, it’s even more difficult to get paid the national average,” he says.

Unemployment is another important concern: of the 10 cities listed by Checkr, only Rochester had an unemployment rate below the national average of 4.2%.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Bakersfield and Fresno metro areas have two of the highest unemployment rates in the country, at 9.6% and 8.5%, respectively.

McAllen and Jackson fare little better, with unemployment rates of 6.4% and 6.2% each.

Overall, these cities struggle to attract and retain talent, Radbil says.

“There’s not a ton of new jobs being generated, and that can always limit the opportunity for a city to grow,” he says.

Want to stand out, grow your network, and get more job opportunities? Sign up for Smarter by CNBC Make It’s new online course, How to Build a Standout Personal Brand: Online, In Person, and At Work. Learn from three expert instructors how to showcase your skills, build a stellar reputation, and create a digital presence that AI can’t replicate. Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off the regular course price of $67 (plus tax). Offer valid July 22, 2025, through September 2, 2025.

Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to connect with experts and peers.