Washington leads top U.S. cities for creative careers

IDAHO, UNITED STATES — A new study by Crucial.com reveals the top destinations in the United States for creative careers in 2023. Analyzing data on current creative jobs and open positions across fields like music, design, and film, the report names Washington D.C. as the #1 city for creative careers this year.
Washington offers strong creative communities and abundant job opportunities, providing “the best of both worlds” for creatives, according to the report. The metro area currently has over 30,000 open creative roles but also boasts a large base of existing creative workers, making it ideal for networking and collaboration.
Atlanta took second place with the highest proportion of creative workers relative to the total workforce. The city has a thriving creative community across music, film, and other arts.
Rounding out the top three is the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area. With a vibrant cultural scene and promising growth, the report notes Miami is a great choice for creatives looking to “be part of the next big thing.”
While major hubs like New York and Los Angeles predictably scored well, smaller cities like Buffalo, Rochester, and Denton also made the top 20 list. The study identified these less-expected metros as “hidden hubs” offering abundant creative inspiration.
While Crucial.com has not disclosed the precise metrics, the rankings suggest robust employment opportunities and an engaging work-life environment in these urban locales. The report underscores that creatives have promising career prospects across both large metro areas and smaller cities this year.