While cities like Raleigh and Nashville are thriving with booming job markets and rising wages, not every American city is keeping up. A new report from Checkr has revealed that Bakersfield, California, ranks as the worst city in the country for job opportunities.
Checkr analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, and Bureau of Economic Analysis to assess the 100 largest U.S. cities. They measured employment opportunities based on unemployment rates, labor force growth, job openings, and workforce size. Bakersfield finished dead last.
Why Bakersfield Ranks at the Bottom
Bakersfield’s struggles stem from its over-reliance on industries like agriculture and energy, which have seen stagnation and job cuts in recent years. CNBC reported that according to Sam Radbil, Checkr’s research strategist, these industries “tend to require on-site work, limiting remote job opportunities” and offer fewer high-paying roles compared to tech or service-based economies.
The city’s unemployment rate stands at 9.6 percent, more than double the national average of 4.2 percent, making it one of the hardest places in America to find a job.
It’s Not Just Jobs—Wages Are Stagnant, Too
Even for those who do find work, Bakersfield doesn’t offer much in terms of earning potential. The city’s real per capita income growth has been sluggish, and few households crack the $200,000 mark. As Radbil explained, “While jobs are difficult to find, it’s even more difficult to get paid the national average.”…