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Top 10 non-metro Indian cities for jobs and talent in 2025: Is your hometown on the rise or at risk?

Top 10 non-metro Indian cities for jobs and talent in 2025: As infrastructure and investments pour in, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are fast emerging as new engines of employment and talent growth in 2025.

Top 10 non-metro Indian cities for jobs 2025Top 10 non-metro Indian cities for jobs 2025

Top 10 emerging Indian cities for jobs in 2025: As the world’s most populous nation and the fourth-largest economy, India is leveraging its vast and educated workforce, driving growth and development. The job market in the country is undergoing a notable evolution.

While economic activity was once largely concentrated in metropolitan hubs such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune, new growth is emerging beyond the metros. These cities, magnets for talent and global corporations, are now being joined by rising Tier 2 and Tier 3 counterparts.

LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise | Top 10 fastest-growing jobs in India 2025

According to the LinkedIn Cities on the Rise 2025 report, several smaller Indian cities are transforming into thriving job markets, driven by rapid infrastructure development, improved connectivity, and the establishment of more corporate offices.

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LinkedIn Cities on the Rise: Top 10 fastest-growing Indian cities for jobs in 2025

1. Visakhapatnam:

The state government’s concentrated efforts on infrastructure development have led Visakhapatnam to rapidly emerge as a significant industrial and employment hub, building a vibrant technology ecosystem that attracts several data and pharmaceutical companies.

2. Rajkot:

Standing out for its dynamic business environment bolstered by innovative urban planning strategies, including a focus on eco-friendly initiatives, Rajkot is gaining traction among talent due to the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and improved road connectivity across Gujarat.

3. Vijayawada:

Vijayawada, once renowned for its cultural heritage, is experiencing a transformation as it draws significant investments, with more IT companies establishing their presence and ongoing metro and airport expansions.

4. Nashik:

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Known as the wine capital of India, Nashik is expanding its economic scope as numerous IT and data firms establish operations in the city, which is further complemented by a burgeoning real estate market and thriving automobile and defence manufacturing sectors.

5. Raipur:

The ‘Naya Raipur’ initiative, rising infrastructural investments and an influx of companies from sectors like semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and pharmaceuticals have established Raipur as a potential technology hub for jobs and talent.

6. Ranchi:

Ranchi is becoming a centre for professionals owing to the new premium hotels, retail expansion, smart city projects, and improved connectivity.

7. Agra:

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The ambitious New Agra Project has given rise to large-scale manufacturing clusters, and investments are expected to create substantial employment opportunities in the city of Taj.

8. Madurai:

With significant advances in its modern facilities and infrastructure, which are attracting technology and agriculture industries, Madurai, or the Temple City, is rising and establishing a strong foothold as a significant hub for talent and jobs.

9. Vadodara:

Supported by substantial multi-crore funding and with several construction initiatives underway, sectors like urban infrastructure, healthcare, housing, and transport are benefiting Vadodara’s economy and cultural landscape.

10. Jodhpur:

Decentralised job markets, the emergence of startups, and the establishment of new corporate offices have made the Blue City a burgeoning centre for employment and talent, especially attracting young professionals seeking affordable living with strong community support.

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Rank City State Top Employers
1 Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Miracle Software Systems, Laurus Labs
2 Ranchi Jharkhand Reliance Retail, Concentrix, Tata Steel
3 Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh HCLTech, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys
4 Nashik Maharashtra WNS, Datamatics, ESDS Software Solution Limited
5 Raipur Chhattisgarh Jindal Steel & Power, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank
6 Rajkot Gujarat Reliance Industries, Nayara Energy, Nirma Limited
7 Agra Uttar Pradesh Torrent Power, HDFC Bank, TP
8 Madurai Tamil Nadu HCLTech, Bull IT Services, Neeyamo
9 Vadodara Gujarat Alembic Pharmaceuticals, L&T Technology Services, Sun Pharma
10 Jodhpur Rajasthan ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Ultratech Cement

Source: LinkedIn Cities on the Rise 2025

Methodology: LinkedIn ranked India’s rising non-metro cities by analysing job market momentum and migration trends. The list reflects strong year-over-year growth in hiring and job postings, plus higher inflows than outflows of talent.

Cities with over one million members were excluded to spotlight emerging hubs, based on data from March 2023–February 2025.

 📣 Stay ahead with the most-read reports – click to view the Top 10

Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager – Content at The Indian Express. She leads the Top 10 section, curating list-based features on key national and international developments, and manages daily news content. She also produces SEO-driven articles and collaborates with the Lifestyle team to conduct interviews with notable artists and write workplace culture features. ... Read More

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