To compile our 2011 lists of America’s Best and Worst Job Markets, Forbes relied equally on the latest metro unemployment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and on Juju.com’s monthly Job Search Difficulty Index for Major Cities. Moody’s Economy.com provided additional analysis for the trends in each labor market on our lists.

Best Job Markets, No. 10: Hartford, Conn.

Unemployment rate: 8.5%

Job-seekers per opening: 2.13

The business of running Connecticut bolsters the labor market in Hartford, the state’s capital. Brendan Cruickshank of job search engine Juju.com says the city’s status as an insurance industry hub also boosts job openings. Hartford’s unemployment rate is below the national average of 9.8%.

Best, No. 9: New York, N.Y.

Unemployment rate: 8.5%

Job-seekers per opening: 1.71

The New York City metro area has advantages other regions don’t: It’s enormous, and filled with a variety of industries, from health care to finance, that help shield it from a downturn in one. However, growth could be tempered due to a restructuring in the financial services industry. Juju.com VP Brendan Cruickshank says many jobs in the New York area are being created by tech startups.

Best, No. 8: Salt Lake City, Utah

Unemployment rate: 7.1%

Job-seekers per opening: 2.75

The Salt Lake City metro area has a number of factors going for it, reports Moody’s Economy.com: Its young labor force is well educated, it has relatively low business costs, its population is growing, and its a transportation hub. The region’s tech sector is expected to lead the recovery.

Best, No. 7: Milwaukee, Wisc.

Unemployment rate: 7.5%

Job-seekers per opening: 2.54

Job openings in health care and education have buttressed Milwaukee’s relatively low unemployment rate. Pro-manufacturing tax incentives and export growth (trade with Canada is a big part of the local economy) could also boost employment.

Best, No. 6: Baltimore, Md.

Unemployment rate: 7.8%

Job-seekers per opening: 1.87

Baltimore’s relatively healthy labor market is due in part to spillover from the Washington, D.C., area and its status as a research center (Johns Hopkins University is there.) The military’s base realignment plans are also expected to bring more jobs to the Baltimore area.

Best, No. 5: Oklahoma City, Okla.

Unemployment rate: 6.2%

Job-seekers per opening: 2.7

Oklahoma City was not hit as hard by the economic downturn as many other major cities. Retail and leisure jobs have been on the upswing, as well as professional services, according to Moody’s Economy.com. Energy and government-related jobs have historically bolstered Oklahoma City’s economy. Boeing plans to move 550 jobs to the metro area from LA by 2012.

Best, No. 4: Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

Unemployment rate: 6.5%

Job-seekers per opening: 2.68

In the Twin Cities area “employment is expected to recover fully by mid-2011, far earlier than nationally,” according to a recent Moody’s Economy.com analysis of the region. Look for growth in manufacturing and professional services jobs like accounting. Did we mention that the metro is home to the Mall of America, a retail and tourist destination, which is expanding?

Best, No. 3: Austin, Texas

Unemployment rate: 7.1%

Job-seekers per opening: 2.39

Austin has a number of assets that have helped it weather the downturn: It’s a state capital and major convention center (especially for the music industry), the home of the University of Texas, and a tech hub. In October local officials announced that the area will be home to a new Eco-Merge Green Corporate Center devoted to producing new technologies. Several international firms, including Toshiba and China’s Taiwan Clean Energy, already plan to open shop there.

Best, No. 2: Boston, Mass.

Unemployment rate: 7.4%

Job-seekers per opening: 2.1%

A state capital, a tech and financial hub and perhaps America’s consummate university town, Boston is a promising market for job-seekers. According to Moody’s Economy.com, state budget problems and a restructuring in the financial services sector could weaken Boston’s growth in the short run, but it’s expected to pick up by the end of the year.

Best, No. 2: Boston, Mass.

Unemployment rate: 7.4%

Job-seekers per opening: 2.1%

A state capital, a tech and financial hub and perhaps America’s consummate university town, Boston is a promising market for job-seekers. According to Moody’s Economy.com, state budget problems and a restructuring in the financial services sector could weaken Boston’s growth in the short run, but it’s expected to pick up by the end of the year.

Best, No. 1: Washington, D.C.

Unemployment rate: 6%

Job-seekers per opening: 1.17

With its large number of federal government jobs, the nation’s capital has weathered the economic downturn better than most cities. A reduction in government spending could slow down the hiring rate in D.C., particularly if the government relies less on contractors. Still, many businesses see their presence in D.C. as a necessity. Northrop Grumman, for example, is relocating its headquarters to the region this year.

Worst Job Markets, No. 10: Orlando, Fla.

Unemployment rate: 11.9%

Job-seekers per opening: 4.27

Live by the sword of tourism, die by the sword of tourism. The Orlando region’s unemployment may be frighteningly high now, but as the recovery takes off, tourism is expected to pick up. The Orlando area “will add jobs faster than almost all large metro areas in the nation in 2011,” according to Moody’s Economy.com, though many will be low-paying service-sector jobs. Nonresidential construction jobs could also give the area a lift.

Worst, No. 9: Jacksonville, Fla.

Unemployment rate: 11.6%

Job-seekers per opening: 4.34

A slowdown in manufacturing and packaging has contributed to the Jacksonville area’s high unemployment rate, which could remain above 11% through this year, projects Moody’s Economy.com. Says a recent analysis by the firm: “The risk of a second recession is uncomfortably high” in Jacksonville.

Worst, No. 8: Providence, R.I.

Unemployment rate: 11.1%

Job-seekers per opening: 4.46

The health care and education sectors could boost Rhode Island’s economic growth over the long haul, but for now the area struggles with high energy costs and a low income/cost-of-living ratio, according to Moody’s Economy.com. Says the firm’s recent analysis, Providence “will trail the U.S. in job and income growth for the foreseeable future.”

Worst, No. 7: San Diego, Calif.

Unemployment rate: 10.4%

Job-seekers per opening: 4.75

San Diego’s economy leans heavily on the defense industry, and any reduction in military budgets could affect the metro area. Last July the region’s largest shipyard laid off nearly 300 workers. The Pentagon’s future focus on the Asia-Pacific region and a burgeoning biotech industry could boost growth prospects in the longer term, reports Moody’s Economy.com.

Worst, No. 6: Los Angeles, Calif.

Unemployment rate: 12.1%

Job-seekers per opening: 6.69

Sluggish economic growth nationally has affected the film and tourism businesses in Los Angeles, where the number of foreclosures is also high. California’s budget problems have affected the area as well. One of the region’s largest employers, Northrop Grumman, is moving its headquarters to the Washington, D.C. area.

Worst, No. 5: Sacramento, Calif.

Unemployment rate: 12.6%

Job-seekers per opening: 5.25

Government work buoys employment in many state capitals. But California’s budget crisis, complete with pay cuts and furloughs for state workers, has taken its toll on Sacramento. Compounding the problem has been a sharp decline in construction. Unemployment in Sacramento could remain above 10% into next year, projects Moody’s Economy.com.

Worst, No. 4: Detroit, Mich.

Unemployment rate: 12%

Job-seekers per opening: 8.47

The problems in the U.S. auto industry in recent years are symbolic of Detroit’s struggle with economic growth during the past decade. There are some rays of light: The area is a transportation hub, and the auto industry is starting to get back on its feet. But unemployment in Motown could remain above 10% through 2013, projects Moody’s Economy.com.

Worst, No. 3: Miami, Fla.

Unemployment rate: 12.1%

Job-seekers per opening: 9.16

The real estate bust knocked Miami to its knees, and the region is still on the mend economically. But trade, tourism and Miami’s ties with Latin America could bring a swift reversal of fortune. “Miami’s recovery will be among the fastest in the nation,” housing issues notwithstanding, says a recent analysis by Moody’s Economy.com. Many jobs will be low-paying service-sector positions, however.

Worst, No. 2: Riverside, Calif.

Unemployment rate: 14.3%

Job-seekers per opening: 7.56

Moody’s Economy.com projects that unemployment in Riverside will remain above 14% for at least the next year and close to 11% as late as 2013. The area was hit hard by the housing bust. Retail is also expected to lag.

Worst, No. 1: Las Vegas, Nev.

Unemployment rate: 14.3%

Job-seekers per opening: 8.39

With an economy built on tourism, Las Vegas has acutely suffered from the impact the recession has had on the entire nation. The metro area has been hit hard by a decline in home prices and construction jobs. According to an August analysis by Moody’s Economy.com, unemployment in Las Vegas could remain above 10% through 2013.

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