The Class of 2022 has faced many challenges. From high-profile layoffs to crypto crashes, there has been much speculation about a downturn in the jobs market. However, the news for this year’s graduates isn’t all bad. At Adzuna, we have taken a look at which sectors and states have the most opportunities for this year’s grads, as well as the top companies hiring for grads.
This year’s college grads are facing a pretty healthy job market. There are currently 129,778 roles available across the US. This is a huge increase of 68.51% from last year, suggesting the graduate jobs market is bouncing back following the pandemic. Post-grad positions are also up, with 10,249 roles advertised for post-grads right now, compared to 6,507 in June 2021.
Pay rates are also on the rise, which is welcome news for graduates completing their college degrees during a period of economic uncertainty. Currently, our data shows the average salary for entry-level roles sitting at $55,887.
But where is the best place to live as a graduate? We’ve summarized the locations with the highest number of vacancies, check it out below!
1. California
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 10,145
Graduates living in California are in a prime position. In the state, there are a huge 10,145 roles available. Salaries for California college grads are also pretty healthy, with the average advertised salary sitting at $49,916.
If you are set on a career in tech, California is a great place to move to, with the global center for tech being located in the state. Its companies are known for being pretty high paying, so it could definitely be worth exploring.
Check out roles in California.
2. Illinois
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 6,489
With 6,489 graduate vacancies available in the state, Illinois grads are spoiled for choice. Graduates in Illinois can expect to earn much lower salaries than college leavers in California with average earnings of $37,265.
Chicago is a pretty big hub for new college graduates so it is a great location to surround yourself with like-minded young professionals.
Want a job in Illinois? Explore vacancies here.
3. Colorado
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 6,288
Graduates in Colorado face a similar market, with 6,288 jobs available in the state. Average salaries in Colorado sit at $39,916.
Recent studies have suggested that Denver and Colorado Springs are among the most sought-after locations for college students following graduation. There is a large young population in Colorado, making it a good place to start your career.
Available vacancies in Colorado can be found here.
4. Ohio
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 5,408
Ohio provides the next best opportunities for those leaving college this year. There are 5,408 graduate positions up for grabs, with an average salary of $41,185.
Ohio’s representative Jon Cross is introducing a new act targeted at supporting college graduates. Essentially, the act will mean that students who stay in Ohio will be exempt from state income for up to three years. The college graduates will have to stay in the state for three years and have a full-time job, but it is definitely worth considering when looking for your next place to live.
Ohio vacancies are available here.
5. New York
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 5,391
Home to the nation’s most populated city, the state of New York surprisingly only just scrapes the top five locations for grads. New York state has 5,391 jobs available for grads. However, college graduates in the state should note that salaries are fairly high, coming in at an average of $51,562.
Although expensive, New York City is a cosmopolitan and buzzing city, which is perfect for a young professional.
Wanting to work in New York? Search for roles here.
6. Texas
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 5,086
Texas just misses out on the top five locations for graduates, with 5,086 opportunities available. College graduates earn $44,221 on average in the southern state.
Texas has recently ranked as the fourth best state for graduates. The reasoning for this was the number of job openings, percentage of young people, and high diversity. It was also noted that its high fun ranking and lower cost of living make it great for young people.
Explore vacancies in Texas.
7. Florida
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 4,859
Another southern state takes the next spot, with college grads in Florida having a good number of opportunities. There are 4,859 vacancies for Floridian graduates, with an average salary of $38,837.
If you wish to experience sunny weather all year round and earn without having to pay an income tax, the Sunshine State could be a great place to relocate.
Jobs in Florida can be found here.
8. Indiana
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 4,400
Indiana takes the eighth spot for the best locations for college graduates. There are 4,400 jobs in Indiana, with salaries averaging a healthy $43,894.
In Indianapolis, the percentage of young adults aged 20-34 is almost 40%. As well as this, the city provides more affordable housing than most cities in the country.
Wanting a job in Indiana? Check this out.
9. Tennessee
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 4,356
Tennessee manages to sneak into the top ten best states for graduates, with 4,356 roles available. Salaries for college grads in the state sit at $44,717.
Nashville is filled with country music and good bars, so if you would like to immerse yourself in that scene, Tennessee is a great place to live. Tennessee also has low tax rates and living costs, so financially, it makes a good place to live for college grads.
Tennessee vacancies are available here.
10. North Carolina
Advertised vacancies for college grads: 3,799
Although average salaries for graduates in North Carolina are lower than in other states, there are plenty of opportunities. In total, there are 3,799 job openings in North Carolina. Graduates should be aware, however, that the average salary for grads in the state is $33,422, much lower than some other states.
Several cities in North Carolina have been named among the top cities for college graduates. Durham, NC was ranked 9th, with Raleigh and Charlotte taking the 17th and 30th spots respectively.
Vacancies in North Carolina are available here.
Table 1: Average advertised salaries in the top 20 states hiring for grads
| State | Advertised grad vacancies, July 2022 | Average advertised salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | 10,145 | $49,916 |
| Illinois | 6,489 | $37,265 |
| Colorado | 6,288 | $39,916 |
| Ohio | 5,408 | $41,185 |
| New York | 5,391 | $51,562 |
| Texas | 5,086 | $44,221 |
| Florida | 4,859 | $38,837 |
| Indiana | 4,400 | $43,894 |
| Tennessee | 4,356 | $44,717 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,806 | $42,670 |
| North Carolina | 3,799 | $33,422 |
| Virginia | 3,669 | $41,758 |
| Georgia | 3,464 | $37,149 |
| Mississippi | 3,355 | $38,218 |
| Maryland | 2,909 | $42,799 |
| Arizona | 2,897 | $45,671 |
| Missouri | 2,649 | $36,616 |
| Oregon | 2,604 | $43,079 |
| Idaho | 2,589 | $49,827 |
| Connecticut | 2,411 | $44,403 |
Which sectors have the most graduate roles?
Recent college graduates may struggle to decide upon a career path but may be pretty shocked to see how much the number of vacancies depends on the sector. Healthcare & Nursing come out on top, with a huge 39,202 vacancies for grads. IT follows this, with 26,804 available positions. Accounting & Finance (13,000), Engineering (9,440), and Logistics & Warehouse round off the top five sectors for graduates.
PR, Advertising & Marketing have just a fraction of the jobs in Healthcare & Nursing, with just 909 graduate roles within the sector.
Table 2: Top 10 sectors hiring for college grads
| Sector | Advertised grad vacancies, July 2022 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare & Nursing | 39,202 |
| IT | 26,804 |
| Accounting & Finance | 13,000 |
| Engineering | 9,440 |
| Logistics & Warehouse | 7,231 |
| Sales | 6,042 |
| HR & Recruitment | 4,168 |
| Customer Services | 2,277 |
| Manufacturing | 2,071 |
| PR, Advertising & Marketing | 909 |
Which companies employ the most graduates?
If you’re looking for a company with a lot of graduate talent, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! PwC is by far the biggest graduate employer right now. The international company is currently recruiting for 28,658 graduate roles across the US. Deloitte, which is hiring for 4,594 roles, comes in as the second biggest employer for grads. Staffigo Technical Services, LLC (2,640), BAYADA Home Health Care (2,322), and J.B. Hunt Transport Services (2,222) all feature in the top five employers for graduates in the US right now.
Table 3: Top 5 companies currently hiring for grads
| Company | Advertised grad vacancies, July 2022 |
|---|---|
| PwC | 28,658 |
| Deloitte | 4,594 |
| Staffigo Technical Services, LLC | 2,640 |
| BAYADA Home Health Care | 2,322 |
| J.B. Hunt Transport Services | 2,222 |
Highest paying companies for college graduates
For the most successful graduates, there are plenty of roles with very high salaries. Davis Polk & Wardwell offers the highest graduate salaries, with last year’s graduates earning a very healthy $215,000 annually. Amazon is also known to be a high-paying company for graduates, with graduate software developers earning $116,000. JPMorganChase offers first-year analysts a cool $100,000. PwC also features as one of the top paying companies, with entry-level associate consultants earning $80,300.
The number of graduate positions can really depend on your location and sector. The overall picture is looking good for college leavers, with available positions and salaries on the rise. In a time of economic uncertainty, this is very welcome news. If you’re looking for your first role out of college, be sure to take a look at our website for all of the latest jobs.
Why not use our ValueMyResume Tool to find out how much you should be paid?
Read more: How valuable is a degree in 2022?