Map Shows Best States for Entry Level Jobs
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Every year, around 4 million students graduate from college and enter the workforce in search of a high-paying entry-level job.
According to a new report from NetCredit, not all states offer the same level of opportunities.
NetCredit ranked the states based on entry-level job vacancies on Indeed.com and MIT's living wage calculator and discovered that 40 percent of entry-level jobs in the United States don't meet the living wage for their areas.
Why It Matters
Salary matters significantly for entry-level workers, but the cost of living in certain cities can impact how far money can stretch and overall quality of life as well.
By taking into account both factors, workers can enjoy a salary that aligns with their city's cost of living for housing, food, transportation, and more.
What To Know
The best states for entry-level jobs offering salaries above the local living wage were Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Ohio.
All of the cities had at least 79 percent of all entry-level job listings offering salaries above the local living wage, with a whopping 92 percent of all entry-level jobs in Minnesota meeting the state's cost of living.
Some cities also had better entry-level options for workers than others.
The top city was Bakersfield, California, where 100 percent of the new job listings met the local living wage. Bakersfield was the only city where this was the case.
"Bakersfield hitting 100 percent is pretty amazing," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek. "Every single entry-level job there pays a living wage. And honestly? The Midwest dominance wasn't something most people saw coming. We're so used to thinking coastal cities are where the opportunities are."
Graduation students, faculty, and family gather in Harvard Yard on May 28, 2025, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Graduation students, faculty, and family gather in Harvard Yard on May 28, 2025, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.Fargo, North Dakota; Toledo, Ohio; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Detroit, Michigan, also had high percentages of entry-level jobs offering above the local living wage. The top five cities' job listings all exceeded 84 percent in meeting the city's cost of living.
"Bakersfield honestly shocked me. It's proof that even in high-cost states, employers can meet the bar. They just usually choose not to," HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek.
"Entry-level job doesn't have to mean underpaid and overworked. Recent grads should demand better, look beyond prestige markets like New York or LA. The best opportunity might be in a place you hadn't considered."
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "What's troubling is that in the entire country, only one city—Bakersfield, California—has 100 percent of its entry-level jobs that start at or above the local living wage...
"We know a record number of younger Americans are starting out single and are having to rely on their income to cover most or all of their own expenses. While wages are higher in many cities and states compared to five years ago, we still have many areas of the country where entry-level work will not keep someone's head above financial water."
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "Grads may face a tradeoff: take a higher-paying job in a less appealing area or earn a little less to live somewhere with better weather or quality of life. Either way, the job market will have to adjust. Companies will need to raise wages to attract talent in pricier areas or make the case for why their location is worth the tradeoff. Quality of life is starting to matter just as much as the paycheck."
Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek: "Don't sleep on 'second-tier' cities. Your dollar stretches further, your quality of life might actually be better, and you're not competing with quite as many people for the same opportunities."
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "What stands out most is how rare it is for entry-level work to pay a true living wage—and how the fight for $15 is clearly already out of date. Even the best-performing state barely clears 90 percent.
"That's a failing grade when workers have to work more than one job to live in their community. The U.S. labor market is so deeply tilted toward employers that we now celebrate when 70 percent of jobs meet the minimum needed to survive."
What Happens Next
Graduates seeking entry-level roles are encouraged to consider the job offer's entire package, not just its base salary.
"A $45,000 job in Minneapolis might give you a better lifestyle than a $55,000 job in a high-cost coastal city," Ryan said.
"This data reveals a pretty significant geographic divide in economic opportunity. We're seeing the emergence of 'opportunity deserts' where young people literally can't afford to start their careers in certain cities."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Major IRS Changes Coming for Business Tax Audits in 2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new guidance on Friday aimed at dramatically reducing examination times for corporate taxpayers while making the audit process more collaborative and efficient. The Interim Guidance Memorandum introduces sweeping changes to how the IRS conducts business tax examinations, with implementation beginning in 2025 and extending through 2026. Why It Matters These changes could fundamentally alter how corporations experience tax audits, potentially saving businesses significant time and resources during examination periods. The reforms target long-standing inefficiencies that have plagued the corporate tax examination process, with some procedures taking years to complete under current protocols. For large corporations, the expanded settlement options and streamlined processes could provide greater tax certainty and allow for more predictable business planning. The changes also signal the IRS's recognition that its traditional examination methods may have been counterproductive to both tax collection efficiency and taxpayer compliance. What To Know The memorandum, titled "Reinforcing the Customer Focused, High Efficiency Large Business & International Examination Process," represents a significant shift toward what the IRS calls a "culture of collaboration" with taxpayers to resolve tax issues more quickly. These audit process changes come amid a broader series of IRS updates for the 2025 tax year that have affected individual taxpayers, including increased child tax credits, revised 1099-K reporting thresholds, and inflation-adjusted tax brackets and standard deductions. While those changes primarily impacted individual filers, the July announcement specifically targets business tax examinations. The new guidance introduces three major procedural changes that will reshape corporate tax examinations: Elimination of Acknowledgement of Facts Process: The IRS will phase out its Acknowledgement of Facts (AOF) Information Document Request process by 2026, citing "limited value and extended timelines." Until December 31, 2025, taxpayers can choose whether to participate in AOF procedures. This transition period allows for stakeholder feedback before permanent implementation. Expanded Accelerated Issue Resolution: The memo clarifies that Accelerated Issue Resolution (AIR) now applies to Large Corporate Cases, previously handled under the Coordinated Examination Program. AIR closing agreements allow resolved issues to apply across all filed return years within the current audit cycle, potentially resolving multiple years of potential disputes simultaneously. Enhanced Fast Track Settlement Reviews: The IRS will implement stronger internal review processes before denying taxpayer requests for Fast Track Settlement (FTS). Additional approvals are now required, supporting broader use of this expedited resolution process. What People Are Saying The Internal Revenue Service wrote in the announcement: "These changes are intended to enhance taxpayer service and tax administration by streamlining examination resources, facilitating timely issue resolution, and expediting tax certainty." FILE - A sign outside the Internal Revenue Service building is photographed May 4, 2021, in Washington. FILE - A sign outside the Internal Revenue Service building is photographed May 4, 2021, in Washington. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File What Happens Next The changes will roll out gradually over the next two years, with the AOF phase-out extending through 2025 and full implementation expected by 2026.
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
DOGE AI Tool to Target 100K Federal Rules for Elimination: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reportedly using a newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) tool to accelerate the rollback of federal regulations, with a stated goal of eliminating 50 percent of all federal rules by the first anniversary of President Donald Trump's second inauguration, according to a Saturday report from The Washington Post. Internal documents reviewed by the newspaper, along with interviews with four government officials familiar with the project, reveal an ambitious timeline and a wide-ranging use of the tool across various agencies. Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters DOGE was created by Trump through an executive order to improve efficiency and reduce waste in the federal government. It was led by billionaire Elon Musk who departed the administration in May. The reported plan represents one of the most aggressive attempts by the Trump administration to overhaul the federal regulatory system. By automating the deregulation process, the administration aims to reduce government spending and compliance burdens significantly. However, the use of AI to interpret complex legal language and determine regulatory necessity raises legal and practical concerns, particularly regarding accuracy, oversight, and the future role of civil servants in shaping public policy, according to the Post. What to Know The "DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool," developed by engineers brought into government under Elon Musk's DOGE initiative, is programmed to scan about 200,000 existing federal rules and flag those that are either outdated or not legally required. According to a PowerPoint presentation dated July 1 that was obtained by the newspaper, the tool estimates that approximately 100,000 of those rules could be eliminated, primarily through automation with minimal human input. The projection claims this could save trillions in compliance costs and spark increased external investment. At the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), AI has already reviewed over 1,000 regulatory sections in under two weeks. Similarly, it was responsible for "100% of deregulations" at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), according to the PowerPoint presentation. The Post, however, reported it was not able to confirm the use of AI at the agency independently. When asked about the use of AI for deregulation, White House spokesman Harrison Fields emphasized to the newspaper that "all options are being explored" to meet the president's deregulation goals. He clarified that no single plan has been finalized, and the effort is still in early, creative stages with ongoing consultation within the White House. DOGE plans to complete agency-specific deregulation lists by September 1 and finish nationwide rollout by January 20, 2026—labeled in internal documents as "Relaunch America." Agencies are currently receiving training on how to integrate the AI tool into their regulatory review process. The presentation claims the tool could save 93 percent of the labor typically required to gut federal rules, reducing what would usually take 3.6 million work hours to just 36. Despite these goals, some federal employees expressed concern about accuracy. One HUD employee told the Post that the AI misinterpreted statutes and flagged legal language as non-compliant when it was accurate. HUD confirmed to the newspaper that while the agency is exploring AI to streamline efficiency, the system is not intended to replace expert judgment. The push to eliminate regulations is not new for Trump. In January, he issued an executive order mandating the repeal of 10 rules for every new one added. Departments like Transportation and Labor have already reported dozens of regulatory cuts. However, experts question whether such repeals will withstand scrutiny under the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs the legal process for rescinding rules. Previous attempts to bypass procedural safeguards—such as Trump's reversal of showerhead regulations—have faced legal scrutiny. DOGE's lawyers have reportedly vetted the tool, but concerns remain about whether its recommendations will be upheld in court or trusted by the private sector. While DOGE initially tried to play a leading role in the deregulation campaign, internal resistance from federal employees has slowed momentum. Agencies questioned DOGE's subject matter expertise and hesitated to outsource rulemaking authority to a third-party system. Moreover, the administration's efforts to downsize the federal workforce have hampered its ability to implement the deregulation strategy. An American flag waves at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 10 in Washington, D.C. An American flag waves at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 10 in Washington, People Are Saying Nicholas Bagley, a law professor at the University of Michigan, told The Washington Post about Trump's unilateral efforts to cut regulations: "There's been some flashy sideshow efforts to avoid the legal strictures, but in general, they don't stick." White House spokesman Harrison Fields wrote in an email obtained by The Washington Post: "The DOGE experts creating these plans are the best and brightest in the business and are embarking on a never-before-attempted transformation of government systems and operations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness." What Happens Next? Over the next several months, agencies will use the DOGE AI tool to select rules for repeal, respond to public comments, and finalize deregulation plans. Whether the courts, the public, and the agencies themselves accept that transformation remains uncertain.
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Newsweek
Three Weeks That Shook the Trump Presidency
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. It was Fourth of July weekend, and President Donald Trump was on top of the world. Aides privately described it as the best stretch of his presidency—possibly across both terms. He had notched a run of victories that showcased how rapidly and ruthlessly his administration was reshaping American policy and culture. The Supreme Court delivered a decision limiting nationwide injunctions by federal judges—one that Trump called "a monumental victory," unlocking long-dormant campaign pledges like ending birthright citizenship. At the same time, Congress passed his self-branded "big, beautiful" bill—extending 2017 tax cuts, boosting border security funding and slashing programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Abroad, Trump flexed U.S. military might with a strike in Iran that, at least so far, has been met with limited response. NATO allies agreed to raise defense spending to five percent of GDP. The S&P 500 hit record highs. By July 4, Trump's approval rating had climbed to nearly 50 percent — downright stellar for him, in this era of polarization. Among Republicans, his support held firm above 80 percent. As fireworks lit up the D.C. night sky, Trump had plenty to celebrate. He didn't know that within days, a political firestorm would erupt—and for a change, it would be coming from within his own base. Newsweek Illustration/Canva/Getty A Promise Undone For half a year, Trump had delivered on marquee campaign promises—from sweeping ICE raids to trade pacts to deregulation. But for the conspiracy-minded wing of MAGA—the engine of Trump's digital power—one pledge loomed largest: the release of the so-called Epstein files. In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News the Epstein client list was "sitting on my desk." She then distributed binders marked "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" to conservative influencers at the White House, in a photo op meant to show the administration's commitment to transparency. It appeared explosive revelations were coming. Then, silence. Then, on Monday July 7, with the country awakening from its long weekend-induced slumber, the DOJ quietly released a two-page, unsigned memo claiming no Epstein client list existed, no evidence suggested Epstein was murdered in jail, and no additional files would be released. Eleven hours of prison video accompanied the memo—but the footage contained a one‑minute gap blamed on a "camera reset." The memo was meant to put the ordeal to bed. Instead, it did the opposite. Laura Loomer accused Bondi of orchestrating a cover-up. Alex Jones called the memo "sickening," accusing the administration of "covering up child sex crimes." Tucker Carlson labeled the DOJ findings "an insult to everyone who believed in this movement." Steve Bannon put it bluntly, "How does an anti–deep state administration put out something this whitewashed?" Even Trump himself appeared frustrated over how much oxygen the topic had been sucking up, suggesting that while he and his allies used Epstein to great effect as a wedge issue during the campaign, he is less enamored with spending time on litigating the disgraced financier's past — and their past friendship— now that he's president. "MAGA really wouldn't exist without conspiracy theories," said Eric Alterman, journalism professor at Brooklyn College. "These theories don't require evidence. They're about stories people tell themselves to explain why things feel like they're going wrong in their lives." That expectation of dramatic revelations has become a defining feature of MAGA-era politics. From alleged UFO cover-ups to Epstein's supposed "client list," Trump loyalists, including sometimes Trump himself, have long stoked the belief that sinister truths would soon be exposed — just as soon as their leader was back in power. When the government declared the mystery solved, the base erupted. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino leaves after meeting with Republican lawmakers to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" at the U.S. Capitol on June 25, 2025 in Washington,... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino leaves after meeting with Republican lawmakers to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" at the U.S. Capitol on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. More Getty Images/AFP Trump Begs, MAGA Burns As the month progressed and outrage escalated, Trump loyalists began turning on each other. On July 9, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino—long a leading promoter of Epstein conspiracies in his former job as media personality—confronted Bondi in a closed-door White House meeting. Furious that the DOJ memo appeared to shut down any further disclosure, Bongino reportedly threatened to resign. "Bongino is out-of-control furious," one senior official told NBC. "This destroyed his credibility. He's threatening to quit and torch Pam unless she's fired." Trump's Truth Social post on July 12, imploring his supporters not to attack Bondi, backfired immediately. "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals'?" he asked, apparently referring to the MAGA-aligned podcasters and influencers with whom he was rapidly losing favor. He defended Bondi and downplayed Epstein as "somebody that nobody cares about." It became the first Trump post ever "ratioed" on his own platform. In Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly canceled House business, sending lawmakers home for summer early rather than face a vote on Epstein documents. When pressed, he called for "full transparency" and urged Bondi to explain the department's decisions. By mid-July, fractures were visible in public opinion polling. Quinnipiac found that 63 percent of voters disapproved of Trump's Epstein response. Even among Republicans, just 40 percent approved. His support among young men—the backbone of his 2024 online comeback—collapsed. A CBS/YouGov poll showed Trump's net approval among voters aged 18 to 29 dropped from 55 percent in February to 28 percent by July, a remarkable 27-point swing in a matter of months. Joe Rogan, Andrew Schulz, and Tim Dillon — three prominent voices from the manosphere — have begun openly criticizing Donald Trump on their respective podcasts, signaling a shift in the online culture that once helped... Joe Rogan, Andrew Schulz, and Tim Dillon — three prominent voices from the manosphere — have begun openly criticizing Donald Trump on their respective podcasts, signaling a shift in the online culture that once helped power his appeal. More YouTube / X "They voted for him because he met them where they were," said Rachel Janfaza, a researcher who studies Gen Z behavior. "But the message has to match the messenger. They're not seeing results—rent is still unaffordable, jobs are scarce, and their degrees feel obsolete the moment they graduate." Thom Hartmann, left-leaning political commentator and host of The Thom Hartmann Program, said the emotional toll of disappointment was starting to show. "Many Trump supporters have spent years emotionally and socially invested in his mythos... Admitting betrayal or deception requires admitting they were wrong, which comes with deep psychological costs. This accounts for the anguish and conflict we're seeing among the Trump base." On social media, longtime loyalists posted videos of themselves burning red MAGA hats. Others shared screenshots of Epstein files stamped "PHASE 1" and captioned them "where's phase 2?" Why was that stupid binder referred to as 'Phase 1' of Epstein document releases if DOJ believed there to be no client list and no additional information about Epstein's activities? Where is Phase 2? The whole thing is so stupid and ham-fisted. Tell us which intel agencies he… — Sean Davis (@seanmdav) July 8, 2025 Hartmann said the outcome depends on whether more revelations surface: "Original videotapes or photos that are clearly not doctored, first-person testimony by Ghislaine Maxwell, or more former teenage victims going on the record could spell doom for his relationship with his base." But so far, no second wave of documents has arrived. And the blowback continues to metastasize. A clearly rattled White House communications office even issued an on-the-record response to a "South Park" episode skewering the president, keeping it in the news. Anything, it seemed, to take the focus off Epstein. As Trump scrambled to shift the spotlight elsewhere—accusing former President Barack Obama of a capital crime, releasing files on unrelated, long-ago assassinations, demanding the Washington Commanders go back to their old name, and even sending Cabinet officials to kick the tires on Alcatraz's ability to house criminals again—he found that none of the tactics that once insulated him from political fallout could contain the fury this time.
