Based on the May 2025 BLS release
Every metro page on this site carries a figure called the location quotient. It is the least familiar number we publish and probably the most useful, so it is worth explaining properly.
A location quotient compares how common an occupation is locally against how common it is nationally. It is a ratio, so:
Crucially it is a measure of density, not size. A small city can have a very high quotient because the role dominates its economy, while a huge metro can sit near 1.0 simply because it has a bit of everything.
These are the metros where registered nursing is most concentrated, with pay alongside:
| Metro | LQ | Median wage | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown | 3.08 | $80,130 | 4,510 |
| Rochester | 2.39 | $101,660 | 6,390 |
| Ann Arbor | 2.3 | $103,450 | 10,980 |
| Gainesville | 2.25 | $81,870 | 7,470 |
| Greenville | 2.15 | $81,670 | 3,770 |
| Iowa City | 2 | $85,940 | 4,090 |
| Sioux Falls | 1.98 | $75,350 | 7,680 |
| Charleston | 1.92 | $80,230 | 4,320 |
| Springfield | 1.87 | $84,220 | 4,110 |
| Mayaguez | 1.83 | $39,280 | 2,070 |
Notice that high concentration and high pay are not the same thing. University and hospital towns show up near the top of the concentration list while sitting mid-table on wages. A deep market is easier to get hired in and easier to move around within — it is not automatically a better-paid one.
If you are relocating for work, a high quotient means more employers, more openings, and a shorter search. It also means if a job does not work out you are not stuck.
If you are staying put, a low quotient tells you the local market is thin, which is a real argument for looking at remote roles rather than assuming nothing is out there.
If you are choosing between offers, pair the quotient with the wage percentile band. A high-concentration, high-percentile metro is where your experience is worth the most.
The figure comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is published free for every occupation and metro. We simply put it next to the job listings, which almost no job board does.