{"h1":"Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Mid-Atlantic","faq":[{"a":"McLean is the best all-round city for mid-career professionals in the Mid-Atlantic, with a score of 79 / 100.","q":"Which city ranks first: best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the mid-atlantic?"},{"a":"32 cities have at least 100 openings, so the list has 32 entries.","q":"How many cities are ranked?"},{"a":"A city's score is the weighted average of its percentile rank on each measure among the ranked cities (100 is first, 0 is last): mid-career share of openings 35%, pay after cost of living 30%, mid-career openings 20%, director-and-above share 15%. A score of 100 would mean first on every measure and 50 is the middle of the pack. The measures and weights are fixed in advance and shown here; they are a judgment about what matters to this reader, so use the single-measure rankings when one thing matters most. Only cities with enough openings and pay data are ranked. A city where one employer posts more than 50% of its openings is not ranked, so a single company cannot decide a city's score.","q":"How is the ranking calculated?"},{"a":"Every month. This is the November 2026 edition. Older editions stay on this site at their own dated addresses.","q":"How often is it updated?"}],"lead":"McLean is the best all-round city for mid-career professionals in the Mid-Atlantic, with a score of 79 / 100.","minN":100,"rows":[{"n":1155,"bar":1,"key":"VA|mclean","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/mclean","name":"McLean","rank":1,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"61%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$148k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"704"}],"value":79.35483870967741,"change":null,"employers":["Capital One","The MITRE","Steampunk"],"valueLabel":"79 / 100"},{"n":783,"bar":0.9817073170731709,"key":"VA|reston","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/reston","name":"Reston","rank":2,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"61%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$157k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"481"}],"value":77.90322580645162,"change":null,"employers":["ICF International","CACI International","Anduril Industries"],"valueLabel":"78 / 100"},{"n":555,"bar":0.9613821138211383,"key":"VA|chantilly","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/chantilly","name":"Chantilly","rank":3,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"66%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$192k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"366"}],"value":76.29032258064515,"change":null,"employers":["CACI International","Trinzic","Peraton"],"valueLabel":"76 / 100"},{"n":821,"bar":0.9512195121951221,"key":"VA|herndon","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/herndon","name":"Herndon","rank":4,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"64%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$159k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"523"}],"value":75.48387096774194,"change":null,"employers":["Amazon","AWS","Peraton"],"valueLabel":"75 / 100"},{"n":4457,"bar":0.9065040650406505,"key":"DC|washington","sub":"DC","href":"/places/district-of-columbia/city/washington","name":"Washington","rank":5,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"50%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$147k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"2,249"}],"value":71.93548387096774,"change":null,"employers":["Anduril Industries","CACI International","Shield AI"],"valueLabel":"72 / 100"},{"n":1989,"bar":0.8760162601626017,"key":"VA|arlington","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/arlington","name":"Arlington","rank":6,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"56%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$143k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"1,120"}],"value":69.51612903225806,"change":null,"employers":["Amazon","AWS","Bloomberg Industry Group"],"valueLabel":"70 / 100"},{"n":20589,"bar":0.7947154471544716,"key":"NY|new york","sub":"NY","href":"/places/new-york/city/new-york","name":"New York","rank":7,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"47%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$147k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"9,612"}],"value":63.06451612903226,"change":null,"employers":["Amazon","Publicis Groupe","Morgan Stanley"],"valueLabel":"63 / 100"},{"n":443,"bar":0.7906504065040653,"key":"MD|bethesda","sub":"MD","href":"/places/maryland/city/bethesda","name":"Bethesda","rank":8,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"56%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$136k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"250"}],"value":62.74193548387098,"change":null,"employers":["Black Canyon Consulting","ZoomInfo","Leidos"],"valueLabel":"63 / 100"},{"n":276,"bar":0.7357723577235774,"key":"MD|fort meade","sub":"MD","href":"/places/maryland/city/fort-meade","name":"Fort Meade","rank":9,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"65%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$142k"},{"label":"Mid-career 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Analytics","JPMorgan Chase"],"valueLabel":"57 / 100"},{"n":584,"bar":0.6341463414634146,"key":"VA|alexandria","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/alexandria","name":"Alexandria","rank":12,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"50%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$139k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"292"}],"value":50.32258064516129,"change":null,"employers":["Kearney","Patent and Trademark Office","Analytic Services (ANSER)"],"valueLabel":"50 / 100"},{"n":396,"bar":0.6260162601626017,"key":"NJ|princeton","sub":"NJ","href":"/places/new-jersey/city/princeton","name":"Princeton","rank":13,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"39%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$163k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"153"}],"value":49.67741935483871,"change":null,"employers":["Genmab A/S","Otsuka","ZS Associates"],"valueLabel":"50 / 100"},{"n":190,"bar":0.6260162601626017,"key":"VA|tysons","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/tysons","name":"Tysons","rank":14,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"67%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$125k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"128"}],"value":49.67741935483871,"change":null,"employers":["M.C. Dean","Alarm.com Holdings","LMI"],"valueLabel":"50 / 100"},{"n":234,"bar":0.6016260162601627,"key":"VA|mc lean","sub":"VA","href":null,"name":"Mc Lean","rank":15,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"47%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$161k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"111"}],"value":47.74193548387097,"change":null,"employers":["Capital One","Booz Allen Hamilton","Sunrise Senior Living"],"valueLabel":"48 / 100"},{"n":1820,"bar":0.5853658536585367,"key":"PA|philadelphia","sub":"PA","href":"/places/pennsylvania/city/philadelphia","name":"Philadelphia","rank":16,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"43%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$127k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"784"}],"value":46.45161290322581,"change":null,"employers":["Confidential","GSK","Children's Hospital of Philadelphia"],"valueLabel":"46 / 100"},{"n":1514,"bar":0.5833333333333335,"key":"PA|pittsburgh","sub":"PA","href":"/places/pennsylvania/city/pittsburgh","name":"Pittsburgh","rank":17,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"48%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$121k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"730"}],"value":46.29032258064517,"change":null,"employers":["PNC Financial Services Group","Highmark Health","UPMC"],"valueLabel":"46 / 100"},{"n":197,"bar":0.579268292682927,"key":"VA|fort belvoir","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/fort-belvoir","name":"Fort Belvoir","rank":18,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"61%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$133k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"120"}],"value":45.96774193548388,"change":null,"employers":["CACI International","Teksynap","LMI"],"valueLabel":"46 / 100"},{"n":355,"bar":0.5386178861788617,"key":"MD|rockville","sub":"MD","href":"/places/maryland/city/rockville","name":"Rockville","rank":19,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"46%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$142k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"165"}],"value":42.74193548387096,"change":null,"employers":["Financial Industry Regulatory Authority","The Emmes Company","BAE Systems"],"valueLabel":"43 / 100"},{"n":1066,"bar":0.5365853658536586,"key":"MD|baltimore","sub":"MD","href":"/places/maryland/city/baltimore","name":"Baltimore","rank":20,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"48%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$118k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"509"}],"value":42.58064516129032,"change":null,"employers":["Northrop Grumman","Johns Hopkins Medicine","Johns Hopkins University"],"valueLabel":"43 / 100"},{"n":518,"bar":0.5365853658536586,"key":"NY|rochester","sub":"NY","href":"/places/new-york/city/rochester","name":"Rochester","rank":21,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"57%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$92k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"295"}],"value":42.58064516129032,"change":null,"employers":["L3HARRIS Technologies","Harris Health Strategic Fund","Rochester Institute of Technology"],"valueLabel":"43 / 100"},{"n":680,"bar":0.5345528455284554,"key":"NY|brooklyn","sub":"NY","href":"/places/new-york/city/brooklyn","name":"Brooklyn","rank":22,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"44%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$126k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"296"}],"value":42.41935483870968,"change":null,"employers":["SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University","Williams-Sonoma","Altana AI"],"valueLabel":"42 / 100"},{"n":426,"bar":0.5345528455284554,"key":"NJ|newark","sub":"NJ","href":"/places/new-jersey/city/newark","name":"Newark","rank":23,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"49%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$119k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"210"}],"value":42.41935483870968,"change":null,"employers":["Broadridge Financial Solutions","Amazon","Audible"],"valueLabel":"42 / 100"},{"n":222,"bar":0.5,"key":"NY|white plains","sub":"NY","href":"/places/new-york/city/white-plains","name":"White Plains","rank":24,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"55%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$121k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"122"}],"value":39.6774193548387,"change":null,"employers":["New York Power Authority","FormativGroup","RWE Clean Energy"],"valueLabel":"40 / 100"},{"n":163,"bar":0.4959349593495936,"key":"VA|vienna","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/vienna","name":"Vienna","rank":25,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"53%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$131k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"87"}],"value":39.35483870967742,"change":null,"employers":["Esri","Navy Federal Credit Union","Antithesis"],"valueLabel":"39 / 100"},{"n":231,"bar":0.4878048780487806,"key":"VA|manassas","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/manassas","name":"Manassas","rank":26,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"52%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$136k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"119"}],"value":38.70967741935484,"change":null,"employers":["General Dynamics Mission Systems","Electra.Aero","Holder Construction"],"valueLabel":"39 / 100"},{"n":416,"bar":0.4817073170731708,"key":"NY|buffalo","sub":"NY","href":"/places/new-york/city/buffalo","name":"Buffalo","rank":27,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"53%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$100k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"221"}],"value":38.2258064516129,"change":null,"employers":["Moog Military Aircraft","University at Buffalo","Moog"],"valueLabel":"38 / 100"},{"n":1136,"bar":0.4410569105691057,"key":"VA|richmond","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/richmond","name":"Richmond","rank":28,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"48%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$99k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"541"}],"value":35,"change":null,"employers":["Mckesson","Capital One","Genworth Financial"],"valueLabel":"35 / 100"},{"n":366,"bar":0.4329268292682928,"key":"NY|albany","sub":"NY","href":"/places/new-york/city/albany","name":"Albany","rank":29,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"51%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$95k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"188"}],"value":34.35483870967742,"change":null,"employers":["KPMG","New York State","Broadview Credit Union"],"valueLabel":"34 / 100"},{"n":332,"bar":0.4126016260162601,"key":"VA|norfolk","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/norfolk","name":"Norfolk","rank":30,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"52%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$103k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"172"}],"value":32.74193548387096,"change":null,"employers":["Commonwealth of Virginia","Seacorp","United States Fleet Forces Command"],"valueLabel":"33 / 100"},{"n":400,"bar":0.3292682926829269,"key":"NY|syracuse","sub":"NY","href":"/places/new-york/city/syracuse","name":"Syracuse","rank":31,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"46%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$109k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"182"}],"value":26.12903225806452,"change":null,"employers":["Upstate Medical University","Hidden Level","HII Mission Technologies"],"valueLabel":"26 / 100"},{"n":377,"bar":0.225609756097561,"key":"MD|annapolis","sub":"MD","href":"/places/maryland/city/annapolis","name":"Annapolis","rank":32,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"37%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$119k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"139"}],"value":17.90322580645162,"change":null,"employers":["Northrop Grumman","Luminis Health","TEKsystems"],"valueLabel":"18 / 100"}],"slug":"best-all-round-cities-for-mid-career-professionals-in-the-mid-atlantic","unit":"openings","scope":{"id":"mid-atlantic","kind":"region","name":"Mid-Atlantic"},"title":"Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Mid-Atlantic","family":"Best overall","method":["A city's score is the weighted average of its percentile rank on each measure among the ranked cities (100 is first, 0 is last): mid-career share of openings 35%, pay after cost of living 30%, mid-career openings 20%, director-and-above share 15%.","A score of 100 would mean first on every measure and 50 is the middle of the pack. The measures and weights are fixed in advance and shown here; they are a judgment about what matters to this reader, so use the single-measure rankings when one thing matters most.","Only cities with enough openings and pay data are ranked.","A city where one employer posts more than 50% of its openings is not ranked, so a single company cannot decide a city's score."],"builtAt":"2026-11-03T03:50:28.595Z","edition":"2026-11","measure":"cmid","sources":["NextChapter job data: open professional roles and posted pay","Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities 2024"],"baseline":null,"keyFacts":["#1 McLean, VA: 79 / 100","#2 Reston, VA: 78 / 100","#3 Chantilly, VA: 76 / 100","32 cities ranked in the Mid-Atlantic","Data as of November 2026"],"placeNoun":"cities","commentary":["The top ten is tightly packed: McLean leads on 79 / 100, and #10 Springfield is at 57 / 100.","Springfield reaches #10 on a sample of 274 openings, a smaller market than most of the top ten, so its rank can move more from month to month.","New York is the largest market in the top ten, with 20,589 openings behind its figure.","Cities with fewer than 100 openings are not ranked, and small differences between neighbouring ranks are not meaningful."],"license":"Free to use and share with a link to https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/best-all-round-cities-for-mid-career-professionals-in-the-mid-atlantic"}