Roanoke ranks #7 according to ZipRecruiter's recent ranking of the 100 largest job markets in the Southern US. Three other Virginia cities appeared among the top 20: Richmond #4, Winchester #14 and Danville #17. ZipRecruiter analyzed the hiring demand trends and determined what cities have emerged as the leaders in terms of hiring demand in the first quarter of 2015.

According to ZipRecruiter, "Roanoke's location promotes a thriving transportation industry and allows the capability for overnight deliveries to most markets in the southeast, northeast and mid-atlantic. Its economy is also strongly supported by its manufacturing industry and healthcare sector."