Bouncing Back

Top 10 Cities for Employment in 2010

"Job Opportunities" -- The phrase itself sounds almost too good to be true, and according to BusinessWeek.com and Moody's Economy.com, we may not see the full recovery we want for a while. But some job markets are recovering from the recession and have started to see employment growth. Here's a look at America's top 10 hot spots for jobs in 2010.

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Bouncing Back "Job Opportunities" -- The phrase itself sounds almost too good to be true, and according to BusinessWeek.com and Moody's Economy.com, we may not see the full recovery we want for a while. But some job markets are recovering from the recession and have started to see employment growth. Here's a look at America's top 10 hot spots for jobs in 2010.

(iStock Photo)
10. Billings, Mo... The largest town in Montana, Billings has a diverse economy fueled by everything from the agriculture industry to the education industry. Are you still questioning this place? Its median household salary is $49,386 -- maybe that will change your mind.

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9. Las Cruces, N... This popular town is home to New Mexico State University, a steady source of employment for residents. And if you have an entrepreneurial streak, Las Cruces is the place to be. Numerous magazines voted it as the best small metro in which to start a business.

(AP/Photo Randy Siner)
8. Laredo, Texas Known as the "Gateway City," Leredo is one of the busiest entry points into the U.S. from Mexico. The metro benefits from major cross-border trade.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
7. Dallas This well-known city is home to the headquarters of corporations like J.C. Penney Co., Exxon Mobil Corp., and TXU Energy. These companies are major sources of employment and one of the reasons Dallas has survived the recession.

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6. Lawrence, Kan... It's not much of a surprise to see this town on the list -- average median salary being over $50,000 a year. Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas, and the college town attracts many with its cultural offerings.

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5. Auburn, Ala. Like Lawrence, Auburn is a college city dominated by Auburn University. A large employer, the school has essentially protected Auburn from the recession. The city anticipates more job growth this year.

(AP Photo/Todd J. Van Emst)
4. Brownsville, ... Brownsville's international seaport, simply called The Port of Brownsville, is the reason Brownsville is moving up the rankings. The seaport is expected to give the exporting business a boost in 2010.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
3. McAllen, Texa... Due to wealthy Mexican homeowners choosing it as their new hometown, McAllen is seeing more and more opportunities. The health-care, education, and business sectors are all expanding to accommodate new residents. Located just 10 miles from the Mexican border, the town's international trading port has also contributed to its economic growth.

(AP Photo/Matt York)
2. Huntsville, A... Known as "The Rocket City" for its major involvement with space programs, Huntsville is growing, thanks to the addition of 10,000 jobs with the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) going on at the Redstone Arsenal.

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1. Mount Vernon,... Located a mere 60 miles from Seattle, Mount Vernon is quickly becoming a hot spot for jobs. Plus, the area is perfect -- it's quaint like a rural town but close enough to the city so residents don't feel like they live in the middle of nowhere.

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