India’s current employment landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with tier-2 and tier-3 cities emerging as prominent employment hubs, outpacing the traditional metropolitan centres. Leading companies are expanding their operations in these cities to tap into fresh talent pools and fuel business growth. For local job seekers, these cities offer valuable opportunities to pursue careers aligned with their interests while benefiting from lower living costs.
This article highlights the Top 10 Cities in India that are rapidly establishing themselves as key employment destinations for job seekers. In addition, it examines the top industries, major employers, and in-demand roles across sectors within these cities. The list is curated based on insights from LinkedIn’s latest “Cities on the Rise 2025” report.
1.Visakhapatnam
The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) recently approved a budget of Rs. 20,216 Crores, submitted by MNCs like Sify, Sattva, BVM and ANSR for establishing infrastructure in Vizag, projected to create 50,600 new jobs.
- Top Industries: IT, Manufacturing, Logistics and Pharmaceuticals.
- Major Employers: Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL), Wipro Limited, IBM India, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, Tagoor Laboratories Private Ltd and Gangavaram Port.
- In-demand Job Roles: Full Stack Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst, Production Managers, Process Engineer and Medical Representatives.
2.Ranchi
The Jharkhand Land Allotment Policy 2025 aims to expand employment in Ranchi by establishing an IT Tower, Pharma Park, and a World Trade Centre. With an overall investment of Rs. 500 Crores, it aims to create around 10000 direct and 20000 indirect jobs.
- Top Industries: Manufacturing, Food Processing, IT and Hospitality
- Major Employers: Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd (HEC), Concentrix Corporation and Brightcode Software Services Pvt. Ltd.
- In-demand Job Roles: Business Development Manager, Sales Executive, Full Stack Developer and Admission Counsellor.
3.Vijayawada
IT hiring and recent government schemes have spurred job creation in Vijayawada.
The Amaravati Drone Summit (Oct 2024) proposed $2,000 crore investments in drone, planning to train 20,000 pilots and generate 30,000 jobs in logistics, tech, and administration across the city.
- Top Industries: Trade & Commerce, Manufacturing, Logistics and IT.
- Major Employers: HCLTech, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Reliance Retail, Charoen Pokphand India (Pvt) Ltd and Jio.
- In-demand Job Roles: Sales Executive, Business Development Executive, Area Sales Manager and Marketing Managers.
4.Nashik
Nashik is rising as an employment hub, driven by major infrastructure developments and investments. Factors that will contribute to job creation in Nashik include the establishment of a new Industrial Park at Igatpuri and a Tribal Industrial Cluster at Dindori.
- Top Industries: Manufacturing, Defence and Aerospace, Information Technology, Agriculture and Food Processing, and Real Estate.
- Major Employers: Mahindra LTD, Siemens Industry, Bosch, ABB India, Netwin Infosolutions Pvt Ltd, Aress Software and Education Technologies, and Datamatics Global.
- In-demand Job Roles: Production Engineer, Business Development Executive, Sales Executive, Software Developer, Data Scientist and Cyber Security Analyst.
5.Raipur
The city is experiencing a good influx of companies across IT, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. The new “Naya Raipur” initiative, which aims to transform Raipur into a smart city, attracts investments from top companies, worth more than Rs. 4.50 Lakh Crore for infrastructure development.
- Top Industries: Steel and Iron, Cement, Agriculture and Food Processing and Power
- Major Employers: Godawari Power And Ispat Ltd., Prime Ispat Limited, Sarda Energy & Minerals, Ambuja Cement, Ultratech Cement, Indian Broiler Group and JSW Energy.
- In-demand Job Roles: Production Manager, Safety Officers, Process Engineers, Farm Managers, Agriculture Officers and Power Plant Operators.
6.Rajkot
The Smart City Mission, a surge in export-oriented manufacturing, and the expansion of renewable energy production are reshaping Rajkot’s employment landscape. Known as one of Gujarat’s fastest-growing industrial hubs, Rajkot is leveraging infrastructure upgrades, policy incentives, and technological adoption to attract investment and diversify its economy. While its traditional strengths in manufacturing, textiles, and ceramics continue to anchor jobs, emerging sectors such as automobiles and information technology are creating new career pathways and boosting the city’s profile in both domestic and global markets.
- Top Industries: Manufacturing, Textiles, Automobile, Ceramics and Information Technology.
- Major Employers: Jyoti CNC Automation, Rajoo Engineers, RK Infotech , NEX Softsys and JG IT Solution.
- In-demand Job Roles: Production Manager, Quality Control Engineer, Testing Engineer, Software Developer and Textile Designer.
7.Agra
Agra is one of the cities driving employment on a large scale in Uttar Pradesh. While iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort have long generated jobs through tourism, the city’s economic base is far more diverse—anchored by industries like leather and footwear, handicrafts, tourism, trade and commerce, and agriculture and food processing.
- Top Industries: Leather and Footwear, Handicrafts, Tourism, Trade & Commerce and Agriculture and Food Processing.
- Major Employers: Thakur Footwear Co ( T.F.C ), J K COTTAGE INDUSTRIES, Radisson Hotel Agra, Taj Hotel & Convention Centre and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.
- In-demand Job Roles: Fashion Merchandiser, Artisan, Hotel Manager and Travel Agent/Consultant.
8. Madurai
The post-pandemic IT workforce surge (increased from 12500 in 2021 to 17500 in 2022) spurred growth in the employment landscape of Madurai, opening doors new investments in commercial infrastructure, co-working spaces, and business parks. The expansion of the IT sector has created ripple effects across allied industries such as hospitality, transport, and retail, while also encouraging local talent retention in the textile sector along with reverse migration from metro cities.
- Top Industries: Textile, Tourism & Hospitality, Information Technology and Granite and Stone Industry.
- Major Employers: Loyal Textile Mills Ltd, Shree Meenakshi Mills, HCL Technologies, Honeywell Technology Solutions and Zoho Corporation Pvt Ltd.
- In-demand Job roles: Production Manager, Textile Design Engineer, Software Developer, DevOps Engineer, Data Scientist/Analyst, Sales Executive/Manager and Manufacturing Engineer.
9.Vadodara
Naukri Job Speak report June 2025 shows +5% hiring growth in Vadodra, marked by investments and developments in the IT and Renewable energy sectors. The city’s growing reputation as a technology and clean energy hub has attracted both domestic and international players, spurring demand for skilled professionals in software development, project management, solar and wind energy engineering, and data analytics. This momentum is further supported by infrastructure upgrades, industrial clusters, and favorable state policies, positioning Vadodara as a key driver of Gujarat’s diversified economic growth.
- Top Industries: Chemical and Petrochemical, Engineering and Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals and IT and IT-Enabled Services.
- Major Employers: Reliance Industries Limited, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd, Larsen & Toubro Limited, Siemens, ABB India, Hitachi Energy, Sun Pharma and Novartis.
- In-demand Job roles: Project Engineer, Production Chemists, Quality Assurance Officers, Software Developers and Data Analysts.
10.Jodhpur
Jodhpur reported a 35% YOY growth in hiring in January 2025, positioning itself an important city in driving job growth in Rajasthan. This surge is fueled by the city’s diversified economic base—ranging from handicrafts, furniture manufacturing, and textiles to tourism, renewable energy, and defence-related industries. Investments in industrial parks, solar power projects, and infrastructure modernization have further enhanced its appeal to both domestic and global investors. With its growing talent pool and expanding industrial footprint, Jodhpur is emerging not just as a cultural hub but also as a rising economic powerhouse in the state.
- Top Industries: Handicrafts, Tourism, Textiles, Mining and Information Technology.
- Major Employers: Adiyogi Technosoft Pvt. Ltd, Lucid Outsourcing Solutions Pvt Ltd., Sigma Minerals Limited, Royal Rajasthan Tours & Travels and handicraft SMEs.
- In-demand Job roles: Sales Executive, Business Development Manager, Software Developer and Marketing Manager.
The cities featured in this list are redefining India’s job market with strong industrial diversity, rigid infrastructure, and abundant career prospects. Lower living costs, expanding corporate clusters, the rise of local enterprises, etc, make them better alternatives to traditional metros for employment.
Whether you are an experienced professional seeking a new challenge or a fresh graduate exploring career options, keeping an eye on these rising employment hotspots could be the key to unlocking long-term employment growth.
Also Read
City Watch: Analysing the Industrial Growth in Visakhapatnam
