Wondering where to go to get a job? The latest data from the Labor Department suggest you pack suntan lotion: Of metropolitan areas with labor forces larger than 200,000, Honolulu has the countrys lowest unemployment rate.
Judging from the locations of the ten large areas with the least unemployment — Wal-Mart’s Arkansas headquarters and Washington, D.C. stand out — it might help to have a bit of experience in retail management or government service if youre planning to move for work. On the other end of the spectrum, the areas with the highest unemployment rates are mainly in California. So if youre looking for work, theres a decent chance youve been involved in building, selling or financing houses.
Heres a list of the ten best and ten worst (note: data are for February and are not seasonally adjusted):
Lowest unemployment rates
1. Honolulu, Hawaii 5.6%
2. Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb. 5.9%
3. Baton Rouge, La. 6.4%
4. New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, La. 6.5%
5. Madison, Wis. 6.7%
6. Oklahoma City, Okla. 6.7%
7. Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria, Va. 6.9%
8. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark. 7%
9. Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa 7.1%
10. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, Texas 7.3%
Highest unemployment rates
1. Modesto, Calif. 19.1%
2. Visalia-Porterville, Calif. 18.7%
3. Fresno, Calif. 18.5%
4. Stockton, Calif. 18.4%
5. Salinas, Calif. 17.7%
6. Bakersfield-Delano, Calif. 17.4%
7. Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich. 15.3%
8. San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 15%
9. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. 14.7%
10. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla. 13.9%