Visakhapatnam has maintained its position as the top non-metro job market in India, according to a report by LinkedIn. Following Visakhapatnam are Ludhiana, Surat, Vadodara, and Prayagraj, ranking among the top five cities for hiring and migration.
The report highlights the growth of non-metro hubs diversifying beyond traditional sectors. Industries like technology, financial services, manufacturing, education, and infrastructure investments are creating new job opportunities in emerging cities, shaping unique growth trajectories.
Professionals in India are actively seeking new roles, with 72% looking for opportunities this year. The report notes a 76% increase in the difficulty of job searches due to heightened competition and widening skill gaps related to artificial intelligence (AI).
The job market scenario has become more competitive, with the number of applicants per open role more than doubling since early 2022. Emerging cities are now offering professionals access to a broader range of industries, employers, and career paths within their vicinity.
These emerging cities are evolving into diverse job markets by blending traditional strengths like ports, textiles, pharma, and manufacturing with new investments in AI, data centers, IT, and services. LinkedIn career expert Nirajita Banerjee emphasized the importance of exploring sectors where employers are investing and assessing the transferability of skills across industries.
Banerjee advised job seekers to expand their search beyond metropolitan areas and consider roles in adjacent sectors to discover promising career paths in rapidly growing markets. Visakhapatnam, for instance, is integrating its port, pharma, and manufacturing sectors with significant investments in AI, data centers, and technology.
Ludhiana is diversifying its manufacturing base by incorporating steel, aviation, and hospitality, while Surat is expanding beyond textiles and diamonds through startups, exports, and real estate ventures. Vadodara is attracting technology, engineering, and enterprise investments alongside its existing strengths in chemicals and machinery.
