The definition of a high-paying job depends on the cost of living in your job market, as well as the level of competition based on your location. According to a recent analysis from Career.io, inland cities such as Salt Lake City, St. Louis, and Denver pose the greatest challenges for job seekers aiming for six-figure salaries. Career.io identified the cities with the highest rates of applicants for highly paid jobs, which are defined as double the local average wage. This analysis took into account in-person jobs in the 200 most populated U.S. cities, as well as the five largest cities in each state.
In Salt Lake City, a high-paying job at double the local average wage is defined as anything that pays $94,515 or more, with an average of approximately 35 applicants per day for such openings. On the other hand, New York ranked as the 10th most competitive city, sees about 10 applicants per day for every high-paying job with a salary of $114,774 or more.
The following cities have the most challenging competition for highly paid-jobs:
1. Salt Lake City, Utah: 34.9 daily applicants per job paying $94,515 or more
2. St. Louis, Missouri: 33.4 daily applicants per job paying $91,978 or more
3. Denver, Colorado: 31.9 daily applicants per job paying $109,202 or more
4. San Jose, California: 29.6 daily applicants per job paying $153,462 or more
5. Kansas City, Kansas: 27.4 daily applicants per job paying $92,810 or more
6. San Francisco, California: 24.1 daily applicants per job paying $131,040 or more
7. Santa Ana, California: 22.3 daily applicants per job paying $96,928 or more
8. Los Angeles, California: 21.8 daily applicants per job paying $96,928 or more
9. Jersey City, New Jersey: 21.2 daily applicants per job paying $114,774 or more
10. New York City, New York: 10.2 daily applicants per job paying $114,774 or more
The most competitive high-paid jobs in these cities typically involve C-suite and managerial roles. Rapid population growth and higher education levels may contribute to the intense job market competition in these locations.
In a competitive job market, hiring experts suggest several strategies for standing out:
- Apply for jobs within the first 48 hours of their posting, as the chances of receiving a callback decrease significantly after 72 hours.
- Network with people and recruiters at companies of interest to learn about openings before they are publicly announced and consider seeking referrals.
- Highlight your specialized skills, certifications, key experiences, notable achievements, and industry knowledge in your application materials to distinguish yourself from other candidates.
- Consider sending a personalized email or LinkedIn message to the hiring manager or recruiter to further express your interest in the position.
By leveraging these tactics, job seekers can enhance their prospects of landing a high-paying job in a competitive market.