- Key findings:
- Unsurprising leaders
- Geographic diversity
- Southern hotspots for ambition
- Growing opportunities in smaller markets
- West coast’s diverse appeal
- Rising tech and startup scenes
- Affordability as a draw for ambitious professionals
- A mix of new and traditional industries
- Bottom line
- Methodology
This survey of 3,000 young professionals ranks U.S. cities by career ambition among 18- to 25-year-olds. Major cities like New York and Los Angeles lead, while southern cities such as Houston and Atlanta are emerging hubs due to affordability and booming industries. Smaller markets like San Antonio and Nashville also attract driven talent, reflecting a shift toward less saturated job markets. The study highlights the need for sustainable career growth alongside ambition.
We surveyed 3,000 young professionals nationwide to find the U.S. cities attracting the most ambitious talent. This study ranks cities by the drive and dedication of 18- to 25-year-old workers, revealing where career advancement takes top priority.
The key findings are highlighted below.
Key findings:
Unsurprising leaders
Large cities such as New York and Los Angeles unsurprisingly placed high in the rankings, as these cities are widely known for their demanding work environments and high-stakes industries.
NYC's finance and media presence, combined with LA's entertainment and tech scenes, make them magnets for ambitious professionals willing to put in 60-hour workweeks.
Geographic diversity
The top cities reflect a wide geographic spread, indicating that career-driven young professionals are not limited to the coasts.
While the East and West coasts are represented by powerhouses like NYC, LA, and San Diego, cities in the South (Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta) and the Midwest (Chicago) also draw those committed to career advancement.
Southern hotspots for ambition
Southern cities such as Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta are emerging as major hubs for young professionals.
With relatively lower living costs and booming industries in tech, healthcare, and energy, these cities offer a balance between affordability and ambition.
This trend suggests that the South is increasingly becoming attractive to those willing to work long hours without facing the high living expenses of coastal cities.
Growing opportunities in smaller markets
The presence of cities like San Antonio, Colorado Springs, and Nashville highlights a shift toward smaller markets.
These cities offer growing industries - such as cybersecurity in San Antonio and defense in Colorado Springs - providing career-focused young professionals with significant opportunities in less saturated job markets.
West coast’s diverse appeal
Beyond LA, other West Coast cities like San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle show up on the list.
This suggests that the West Coast's appeal extends beyond entertainment and tech, with biotech (San Diego) and tech startups (San Francisco and Seattle) driving growth and attracting young, driven talent willing to work hard to succeed.
Rising tech and startup scenes
Cities like Charleston, Austin, and Raleigh illustrate the trend of emerging tech and startup hubs outside of Silicon Valley.
With vibrant entrepreneurial cultures, these cities appeal to young professionals who are drawn to innovation and are willing to dedicate themselves to building something new.
Affordability as a draw for ambitious professionals
Cities such as Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta stand out for their affordability compared to coastal cities.
This affordability allows professionals to focus on their careers without the added pressure of exorbitant living costs, making these cities practical choices for those committed to long hours and career growth.
A mix of new and traditional industries
The rankings show a mix of both established industries and emerging sectors.
While cities like New York and San Francisco are traditional career hubs, others like San Antonio (cybersecurity) and Nashville (healthcare) are experiencing growth in newer industries, attracting professionals ready to take on the challenges of developing sectors.
Bottom line
These U.S. cities are home to ambitious young professionals who are focused on their career growth—many of them logging intense, 60-hour workweeks in pursuit of their goals.
While that kind of dedication can certainly drive results and open doors, we also need to pause and ask, is this truly sustainable?
Here at Career.io, we believe that success shouldn’t come at the expense of your health or happiness. Instead, we advocate for a balanced approach—one that allows young professionals to grow, thrive, and advance their careers without sacrificing their overall well-being. Because real success is about thriving in every aspect of life.
Methodology
We selected 3,000 respondents from a geographically diverse online panel of double opt-in members, carefully matching participants to the specific criteria required for each survey—such as being between the ages of 18 and 25 and being fully employed.
To maintain data integrity, we implemented a comprehensive suite of quality control measures. In addition to standard procedures like digital fingerprinting, bot checks, geo-verification, and speed checks, each response was meticulously reviewed by a team member to ensure both accuracy and contextual relevance.
