Job Gains in Top Ten Metros Slow From Post-Covid Highs

The top 10 metro areas in the U.S. together saw employment rise by 911,900 jobs in the year through September 2023, accounting for almost three of every 10 jobs created nationwide. Their average gain in employment for the month of September was 4.2% — up from 4.1% the prior month.

However, while a significant number of the 150 markets analyzed have seen annual job numbers rise above their pre-Covid levels, the majority “saw post-Covid declines in their annual job gain totals compared to September 2022,” according to a new report from RealPage. 

New York remained at the head of the pack for the number of jobs added in the year ended September, with 161,500 new jobs, but that was 240,400 fewer than the prior year. The city also saw a 24,000 drop in new jobs in September compared to August.  Dallas ranked #2 with 132,800 new jobs, 55,900 fewer than the previous year, but with a 20,000 gain compared to August 2023. Los Angeles came in third with an annual gain of 95,800 jobs – down 55,900 from September 2022. Other metros in the top 10 for jobs added were Houston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Seattle.

By employment growth, Charleston, SC came out on top with 5.3% job growth from August to September, followed by Dallas in a tie with Huntsville with 4.5% growth. However, the increase for Huntsville was lower than in August, but higher for Dallas.