{"h1":"Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Southeast","faq":[{"a":"McLean is the best all-round city for mid-career professionals in the Southeast, with a score of 78 / 100.","q":"Which city ranks first: best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the southeast?"},{"a":"29 cities have at least 100 openings, so the list has 29 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 Southeast, with a score of 78 / 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":78.39285714285714,"change":null,"employers":["Capital One","The MITRE","Steampunk"],"valueLabel":"78 / 100"},{"n":783,"bar":0.9703872437357631,"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":76.07142857142857,"change":null,"employers":["ICF International","CACI International","Anduril Industries"],"valueLabel":"76 / 100"},{"n":821,"bar":0.9271070615034169,"key":"VA|herndon","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/herndon","name":"Herndon","rank":3,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"64%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$159k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"523"}],"value":72.67857142857143,"change":null,"employers":["Amazon","AWS","Peraton"],"valueLabel":"73 / 100"},{"n":555,"bar":0.9157175398633258,"key":"VA|chantilly","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/chantilly","name":"Chantilly","rank":4,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"66%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$192k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"366"}],"value":71.78571428571429,"change":null,"employers":["CACI International","Trinzic","Peraton"],"valueLabel":"72 / 100"},{"n":1989,"bar":0.9088838268792712,"key":"VA|arlington","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/arlington","name":"Arlington","rank":5,"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":71.25,"change":null,"employers":["Amazon","AWS","Bloomberg Industry Group"],"valueLabel":"71 / 100"},{"n":1154,"bar":0.8906605922551253,"key":"AL|huntsville","sub":"AL","href":"/places/alabama/city/huntsville","name":"Huntsville","rank":6,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"60%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$154k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"695"}],"value":69.82142857142857,"change":null,"employers":["L3HARRIS Technologies","Northrop Grumman","Blue Origin"],"valueLabel":"70 / 100"},{"n":5566,"bar":0.8496583143507974,"key":"GA|atlanta","sub":"GA","href":"/places/georgia/city/atlanta","name":"Atlanta","rank":7,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"51%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$135k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"2,831"}],"value":66.60714285714286,"change":null,"employers":["Emory University","Oxford College of Emory University","Capgemini Invent"],"valueLabel":"67 / 100"},{"n":1650,"bar":0.7608200455580866,"key":"TN|nashville","sub":"TN","href":null,"name":"Nashville","rank":8,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"49%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$138k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"809"}],"value":59.64285714285714,"change":null,"employers":["Oracle","Amazon","Vanderbilt University"],"valueLabel":"60 / 100"},{"n":153,"bar":0.7539863325740319,"key":"KY|frankfort","sub":"KY","href":"/places/kentucky/city/frankfort","name":"Frankfort","rank":9,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"57%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$139k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"87"}],"value":59.10714285714285,"change":null,"employers":["Lumen","Oracle","Sazerac"],"valueLabel":"59 / 100"},{"n":3198,"bar":0.7403189066059226,"key":"NC|charlotte","sub":"NC","href":"/places/north-carolina/city/charlotte","name":"Charlotte","rank":10,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"51%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$125k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"1,634"}],"value":58.03571428571428,"change":null,"employers":["Truist Financial","Scout Motors","SMBC Americas"],"valueLabel":"58 / 100"},{"n":274,"bar":0.7175398633257404,"key":"VA|springfield","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/springfield","name":"Springfield","rank":11,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"75%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$130k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"206"}],"value":56.25,"change":null,"employers":["CACI International","Caci Technologies","HII Mission Technologies"],"valueLabel":"56 / 100"},{"n":234,"bar":0.6605922551252849,"key":"VA|mc lean","sub":"VA","href":null,"name":"Mc Lean","rank":12,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"47%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$161k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"111"}],"value":51.78571428571429,"change":null,"employers":["Capital One","Booz Allen Hamilton","Sunrise Senior Living"],"valueLabel":"52 / 100"},{"n":576,"bar":0.6469248291571754,"key":"GA|alpharetta","sub":"GA","href":"/places/georgia/city/alpharetta","name":"Alpharetta","rank":13,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"56%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$130k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"320"}],"value":50.71428571428572,"change":null,"employers":["Morgan Stanley","Fiserv","Landis+Gyr"],"valueLabel":"51 / 100"},{"n":190,"bar":0.6469248291571753,"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":50.71428571428571,"change":null,"employers":["M.C. Dean","Alarm.com Holdings","LMI"],"valueLabel":"51 / 100"},{"n":197,"bar":0.6195899772209568,"key":"VA|fort belvoir","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/fort-belvoir","name":"Fort Belvoir","rank":15,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"61%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$133k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"120"}],"value":48.57142857142857,"change":null,"employers":["CACI International","Teksynap","LMI"],"valueLabel":"49 / 100"},{"n":584,"bar":0.6082004555808657,"key":"VA|alexandria","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/alexandria","name":"Alexandria","rank":16,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"50%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$139k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"292"}],"value":47.67857142857143,"change":null,"employers":["Kearney","Patent and Trademark Office","Analytic Services (ANSER)"],"valueLabel":"48 / 100"},{"n":2064,"bar":0.5990888382687928,"key":"KY|louisville","sub":"KY","href":"/places/kentucky/city/louisville","name":"Louisville","rank":17,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"50%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$115k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"1,033"}],"value":46.96428571428572,"change":null,"employers":["BrightSpring Health Services","Norton Healthcare","GE Appliances"],"valueLabel":"47 / 100"},{"n":1272,"bar":0.5945330296127562,"key":"FL|orlando","sub":"FL","href":"/places/florida/city/orlando","name":"Orlando","rank":18,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"56%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$100k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"707"}],"value":46.60714285714285,"change":null,"employers":["Lockheed Martin","Lockheed Martin Services","Sikorsky Aircraft"],"valueLabel":"47 / 100"},{"n":2344,"bar":0.5899772209567199,"key":"FL|miami","sub":"FL","href":"/places/florida/city/miami","name":"Miami","rank":19,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"47%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$117k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"1,091"}],"value":46.25,"change":null,"employers":["University Of Miami","Royal Caribbean Cruises","Princess Cruises / Holland America Line"],"valueLabel":"46 / 100"},{"n":1738,"bar":0.5353075170842825,"key":"FL|tampa","sub":"FL","href":"/places/florida/city/tampa","name":"Tampa","rank":20,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"48%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$100k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"836"}],"value":41.96428571428572,"change":null,"employers":["DTCC","University of South Florida","Tampa Electric"],"valueLabel":"42 / 100"},{"n":231,"bar":0.5307517084282461,"key":"VA|manassas","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/manassas","name":"Manassas","rank":21,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"52%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$136k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"119"}],"value":41.60714285714287,"change":null,"employers":["General Dynamics Mission Systems","Electra.Aero","Holder Construction"],"valueLabel":"42 / 100"},{"n":163,"bar":0.5056947608200455,"key":"VA|vienna","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/vienna","name":"Vienna","rank":22,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"53%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$131k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"87"}],"value":39.64285714285714,"change":null,"employers":["Esri","Navy Federal Credit Union","Antithesis"],"valueLabel":"40 / 100"},{"n":1427,"bar":0.4965831435079727,"key":"NC|raleigh","sub":"NC","href":"/places/north-carolina/city/raleigh","name":"Raleigh","rank":23,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"47%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$121k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"674"}],"value":38.92857142857143,"change":null,"employers":["First Citizens Bank","Dewberry","MaintainX"],"valueLabel":"39 / 100"},{"n":332,"bar":0.4328018223234625,"key":"VA|norfolk","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/norfolk","name":"Norfolk","rank":24,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"52%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$103k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"172"}],"value":33.92857142857143,"change":null,"employers":["Commonwealth of Virginia","Seacorp","United States Fleet Forces Command"],"valueLabel":"34 / 100"},{"n":1136,"bar":0.3895216400911161,"key":"VA|richmond","sub":"VA","href":"/places/virginia/city/richmond","name":"Richmond","rank":25,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"48%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$99k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"541"}],"value":30.53571428571428,"change":null,"employers":["Mckesson","Capital One","Genworth Financial"],"valueLabel":"31 / 100"},{"n":1071,"bar":0.3485193621867882,"key":"FL|jacksonville","sub":"FL","href":"/places/florida/city/jacksonville","name":"Jacksonville","rank":26,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"41%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$97k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"435"}],"value":27.32142857142857,"change":null,"employers":["Confidential","Intercontinental Exchange","UF Health"],"valueLabel":"27 / 100"},{"n":759,"bar":0.3416856492027335,"key":"FL|tallahassee","sub":"FL","href":"/places/florida/city/tallahassee","name":"Tallahassee","rank":27,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"35%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$106k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"265"}],"value":26.78571428571428,"change":null,"employers":["State of Florida","L3HARRIS Technologies","Florida"],"valueLabel":"27 / 100"},{"n":572,"bar":0.3257403189066059,"key":"FL|fort lauderdale","sub":"FL","href":"/places/florida/city/fort-lauderdale","name":"Fort Lauderdale","rank":28,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"47%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$97k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"270"}],"value":25.53571428571428,"change":null,"employers":["North Broward Hospital District (Broward Health)","Autonation","Town & Country Credit Union"],"valueLabel":"26 / 100"},{"n":344,"bar":0.1890660592255125,"key":"FL|boca raton","sub":"FL","href":"/places/florida/city/boca-raton","name":"Boca Raton","rank":29,"stats":[{"label":"Mid-career share of openings","value":"47%"},{"label":"Pay after cost of living","value":"$92k"},{"label":"Mid-career openings","value":"160"}],"value":14.82142857142857,"change":null,"employers":["Compass","Baptist Health South Florida","SBA Communications"],"valueLabel":"15 / 100"}],"slug":"best-all-round-cities-for-mid-career-professionals-in-the-southeast","unit":"openings","scope":{"id":"southeast","kind":"region","name":"Southeast"},"title":"Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Southeast","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: 78 / 100","#2 Reston, VA: 76 / 100","#3 Herndon, VA: 73 / 100","29 cities ranked in the Southeast","Data as of November 2026"],"placeNoun":"cities","commentary":["The top ten is tightly packed: McLean leads on 78 / 100, and #10 Charlotte is at 58 / 100.","Frankfort reaches #9 on a sample of 153 openings, a smaller market than most of the top ten, so its rank can move more from month to month.","Atlanta is the largest market in the top ten, with 5,566 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-southeast"}