In an era where the grind never seems to stop, achieving a healthy work-life balance is more than a luxury—it's a necessity, for salaried and hourly workers alike. Almost half of U.S. workers (48%) consider themselves “workaholics.” Remote employees often check their emails from bed, while nearly half of hourly workers (47%) face scheduling challenges that hinder their ability to balance work and personal life.
Amid this backdrop of work-centric cultures and the unique pressures on hourly workers, we wanted to pinpoint where work-life balance isn't just a buzzword, but a fundamental part of employment.
To determine which U.S. cities offer the best work-life balance, we analyzed recent LinkedIn job listings. Specifically, we calculated the proportion of job listings in each city that mention a commitment to work-life balance. Additionally, we broke down this data by industry and salary level to determine the industries where these desirable jobs are most common and the cities offering the highest salaries for jobs that promise work-life balance. Discover how aligning your job search with cities that offer a good work-life balance can be a game-changer for your career.
The Top 15 U.S. Cities for Work-Life Balance
Baltimore, MD stands proudly at the top of the list as the city that offers the most jobs with work-life balance. With nearly 6% of the jobs in the area, (5.82%) prioritizing work-life balance. Charm City has the best shot of fulfilling the need for a life well-lived, both in and out of the workplace. It's a testament to the city's evolving job market, where employers understand that true productivity sources from well-rested and rejuvenated individuals.
With its misty mornings and tech-savvy terrain, Seattle, WA secures the second spot on the list, with 5.39% of jobs in the city being good for work-life balance. Its blend of innovative companies and a culture that celebrates the great outdoors ensures that your job fuels your passions rather than consuming them.
California claims third place from the top five spots. This West Coast dominance likely comes from the lifestyle these cities endorse—a mix of outdoor living, wellness culture, and progressive work environments that prioritize the person behind the professional. In contrast, East Coast powerhouses like New York find it challenging to make the top 10 on this list due to their high-octane work culture.
Texas, known for its booming economies, makes a surprising double-entry with cities in the top 10. This hints at a broader shift in work cultures across the U.S., where the Lone Star State is not just a place for economic growth but also for personal flourishing. Specifically, Houston and Dallas each have about 4.87% of their jobs marked as good for work-life balance. The two cities beat out their neighbors, Austin and San Antonio, to take a couple of the highest spots on the list.
Nationally, only 5.1% of U.S. job listings on LinkedInspotlight a dedication to work-life balance. This statistic, though seemingly small, is an important first step for those cities and employers leading the charge in redefining what it means to work in the modern era. It's a call to action for more cities to enrich their economies with balance and well-being, crafting environments where careers thrive alongside happiness and health.
The Top U.S. Cities for Six-Figure Jobs With Work-Life Balance
While the goal of professional success often seems at odds with the goal of a fulfilling personal life, certain cities are painting a different picture. Leading the charge is Washington, D.C., a city that not only sits at the heart of American politics but also reigns supreme in offering six-figure jobs that don’t compromise work-life balance. Here, about one in ten six-figure jobs (9.69%) designate work-life balance commitments on LinkedIn.
Seattle, WA also made the top five of this list, solidifying it as the city where work-life balance comes with a well-paying job. According to LinkedIn data, Seattle has the third most six-figure jobs with work-life balance at 8.10%. San Jose, CA, the largest city of Silicon Valley, also makes the list as the fourth best city for high-paying job opportunities committed to work-life balance. At 8.05%, San Jose is breaking the stereotype that the technology industry is all work and no play.
Two Virginian powerhouses, Virginia Beach and Richmond, made the list of top cities for high-paying jobs with good work-life balance at about 8% each. Particularly, Richmond emerges as a shining star in this race, combining the allure of high salaries and work-life balance with a cost of living that remains relatively low. This trifecta of benefits positions Richmond as a place to thrive. However, it is important to note that Virginia Beach ranks higher on the list, with a larger portion of high-paying jobs committed to work-life balance. These cities prove that professionals can be paid well and enjoy a healthy job if they look in the right place.
The Best Industries for Work-Life Balance, According to LinkedIn
When looking at specific industries, LinkedIn data insights reveal retail, human resources, and finance as the sectors leading the charge for greater work-life balance. Retail emerges as a frontrunner, with 16.5% of job listings offering work-life balance.
Human Resources sits at the heart of the work-life balance conversation by advocating for employees' well-being and setting the standard within their ranks. With more than one in ten job listings (10.13%) being committed to work-life balance, this industry's placement underscores its success in practicing what it preaches.
Traditionally viewed through a lens of long hours and high pressure, finance has taken significant strides toward flexibility. Driven by digital transformations and a changing cultural tide, it now offers 4.73% of jobs committed to work-life balance. This is a huge step for U.S. workplace trends, as the finance sector is often considered one of the largest drivers of the economy.
Career fields like real estate, telecommunications, and education offer the least work-life balance flexibility. Real estate operates in a market dictated by client schedules and market fluctuations, which presents unique challenges to maintaining a healthy barrier between work and home life. At just 1.28% of jobs, the industry has a long way to go. Yet, the rise of virtual showings and flexible work arrangements offers a glimpse into a more balanced future.
Telecommunications, the backbone of our digital and connected world, grapples with the constant demand for connectivity. With less than 1% of jobs (0.79%) offering work-life balance commitments, the sector needs to make serious changes to improve conditions. Telecommunications employers could stimulate this growth by including innovative work models and emphasizing employee well-being.
Finally, education is the institution with the least work-life balance despite being foundational to society. According to LinkedIn data, the industry only offers work-life balance in 0.66% of job listings. A recent survey found that over half of U.S. teachers (54%) say it’s difficult to maintain a work-life balance, highlighting the need for systemic changes to support our educators as much as they support our students.
Closing Thoughts
As LinkedIn data highlights, the journey toward work-life balance varies widely across cities, industries, and salary ranges. While percentages are low now, each step towards work-life balance is a step in the right direction.
If you’re looking to provide your team with a stronger work-life balance, employee scheduling software can help you create predictable and flexible team schedules. It can also give your team more autonomy over their schedules and allow them to swap shifts on the fly.
Methodology
To find the cities with the best work-life balance, we analyzed LinkedIn job listings in February 2024. We scraped the number of job openings on the platform with a work-life balance commitment in the job description, and compared that to the total number of job listings in each city.
We also calculated the number of listings that meet the above criteria within various pay ranges. Finally, we repeated the process by filtering listings within the following industries:
Retail
Human Resources
Finance
Manufacturing
Technology
Construction
Law/Politics
Healthcare
Marketing
Hospitality/Restaurants
Real Estate
Telecommunications
Education
