NextChapter

Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the Midwest

Ann Arbor leads the Midwest: 12% of its entry-level openings ask for AI skills, against 4% across all cities in our data.November 2026 edition. Updated monthly, from open jobs we verified on employer career sites.

Key facts

  • #1 Ann Arbor, MI: 12%
  • #2 Eden Prairie, MN: 11%
  • #3 Dublin, OH: 9%
  • 52 cities ranked in the Midwest
  • Data as of November 2026

For comparison: 4% across all cities in our data.

  1. 1Ann Arbor MI12%
  2. 2Eden Prairie MN11%
  3. 3Dublin OH9%
  4. 4Chicago IL8%
  5. 5Detroit MI6%
  6. 6Rolling Meadows IL6%
  7. 7Milwaukee WI5%
  8. 8Bloomington MN5%
  9. 9Indianapolis IN5%
  10. 10Des Moines IA5%

What stands out

  • The lead is wide: Ann Arbor (12%) is well clear of Des Moines at #10 (5%).
  • Chicago is the largest market in the top ten, with 1,760 entry-level openings behind its figure.
  • Cities with fewer than 40 entry-level openings are not ranked, and small differences between neighbouring ranks are not meaningful.

Why this ranking matters

What it shows

Entry-level roles used to ask for little technical background. When they ask for AI skills, the starting line has moved. This list shows where that has happened most.

How to use it

If you are applying for first roles, learn the tools named in the postings you want and show a small project that uses them.

The top 25

  1. 1

    Ann Arbor MI

    12%

    Entry-level AI openings
    11
    Entry-level openings
    92
    All openings
    349

    Hiring most here: May Mobility, Torc Robotics, Thomson Reuters

    Based on 92 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Ann Arbor

  2. 2

    Eden Prairie MN

    11%

    Entry-level AI openings
    7
    Entry-level openings
    66
    All openings
    321

    Hiring most here: Unitedhealth Group, LHC Group, Illinois Tool Works

    Based on 66 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Eden Prairie

  3. 3

    Dublin OH

    9%

    Entry-level AI openings
    5
    Entry-level openings
    57
    All openings
    126

    Hiring most here: Oclc, Univar Solutions, Quantum Health

    Based on 57 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Dublin

  4. 4

    Chicago IL

    8%

    Entry-level AI openings
    147
    Entry-level openings
    1,760
    All openings
    7,350

    Hiring most here: Publicis Groupe, Confidential, Mars

    Based on 1,760 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Chicago

  5. 5

    Detroit MI

    6%

    Entry-level AI openings
    15
    Entry-level openings
    231
    All openings
    728

    Hiring most here: Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health System, Accident Fund

    Based on 231 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Detroit

  6. 6

    Rolling Meadows IL

    6%

    Entry-level AI openings
    3
    Entry-level openings
    54
    All openings
    281

    Hiring most here: Arthur J. Gallagher, Gallagher Bassett, Gallagher

    Based on 54 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Rolling Meadows

  7. 7

    Milwaukee WI

    5%

    Entry-level AI openings
    14
    Entry-level openings
    270
    All openings
    821

    Hiring most here: Michels, Rockwell Automation, Johnson Controls International

    Based on 270 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Milwaukee

  8. 8

    Bloomington MN

    5%

    Entry-level AI openings
    3
    Entry-level openings
    60
    All openings
    194

    Hiring most here: HealthPartners, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Geronimo Power

    Based on 60 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Bloomington

  9. 9

    Indianapolis IN

    5%

    Entry-level AI openings
    20
    Entry-level openings
    430
    All openings
    1,386

    Hiring most here: Eli Lilly and Company, State of Indiana, Masco

    Based on 430 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Indianapolis

  10. 10

    Des Moines IA

    5%

    Entry-level AI openings
    4
    Entry-level openings
    87
    All openings
    368

    Hiring most here: Principal Financial Group, OpenLoop, Olsson

    Based on 87 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Des Moines

  11. 11

    St. Louis MO

    4%

    Entry-level AI openings
    5
    Entry-level openings
    112
    All openings
    395

    Hiring most here: Stifel Charitable, BJC HealthCare, Kforce

    Based on 112 openings.

    Jobs and employers in St. Louis

  12. 12

    Rochester MN

    4%

    Entry-level AI openings
    2
    Entry-level openings
    46
    All openings
    180

    Hiring most here: Mayo Clinic, Gilbane, Via

    Based on 46 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Rochester

  13. 13

    Cedar Rapids IA

    4%

    Entry-level AI openings
    4
    Entry-level openings
    95
    All openings
    348

    Hiring most here: RTX, Transamerica, BAE Systems

    Based on 95 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Cedar Rapids

  14. 14

    Madison WI

    4%

    Entry-level AI openings
    8
    Entry-level openings
    193
    All openings
    497

    Hiring most here: Universities of Wisconsin [UW_Madison], Creative Financial Staffing, Catalent Pharma Solutions

    Based on 193 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Madison

  15. 15

    Omaha NE

    4%

    Entry-level AI openings
    7
    Entry-level openings
    173
    All openings
    535

    Hiring most here: Conagra Brands, Valmont, Zachry

    Based on 173 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Omaha

  16. 16

    Mason OH

    4%

    Entry-level AI openings
    2
    Entry-level openings
    50
    All openings
    147

    Hiring most here: Cintas, L3HARRIS Technologies, Procter & Gamble

    Based on 50 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Mason

  17. 17

    Minneapolis MN

    4%

    Entry-level AI openings
    13
    Entry-level openings
    326
    All openings
    1,200

    Hiring most here: Mortenson, Ameriprise Certificate, George Konik Associates

    Based on 326 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Minneapolis

  18. 18

    Fort Wayne IN

    3%

    Entry-level AI openings
    3
    Entry-level openings
    87
    All openings
    273

    Hiring most here: BAE Systems, RTX, L3HARRIS Technologies

    Based on 87 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Fort Wayne

  19. 19

    La Crosse WI

    3%

    Entry-level AI openings
    2
    Entry-level openings
    58
    All openings
    116

    Hiring most here: Trane U.s., Gundersen Health, Kwik Trip

    Based on 58 openings.

    Jobs and employers in La Crosse

  20. 20

    Southfield MI

    3%

    Entry-level AI openings
    2
    Entry-level openings
    59
    All openings
    229

    Hiring most here: Lucid Motors, Sun Communities, Lear

    Based on 59 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Southfield

  21. 21

    Lincoln NE

    3%

    Entry-level AI openings
    3
    Entry-level openings
    92
    All openings
    203

    Hiring most here: Nelnet Servicing, General Dynamics OTS, Hudl

    Based on 92 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Lincoln

  22. 22

    Grand Rapids MI

    3%

    Entry-level AI openings
    5
    Entry-level openings
    154
    All openings
    417

    Hiring most here: Corewell Health, Acrisure, BDO USA

    Based on 154 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Grand Rapids

  23. 23

    Akron OH

    3%

    Entry-level AI openings
    4
    Entry-level openings
    126
    All openings
    309

    Hiring most here: FirstEnergy Akron, Babcock International Group PLC/ADR, Akron Childrens Hospital

    Based on 126 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Akron

  24. 24

    Cincinnati OH

    3%

    Entry-level AI openings
    16
    Entry-level openings
    551
    All openings
    1,374

    Hiring most here: Medpace Holdings, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Procter & Gamble

    Based on 551 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Cincinnati

  25. 25

    St. Paul MN

    3%

    Entry-level AI openings
    2
    Entry-level openings
    73
    All openings
    192

    Hiring most here: George Konik Associates, Mortenson, Old National Bank

    Based on 73 openings.

    Jobs and employers in St. Paul

Full ranking

All 52 cities that qualified, with the figure each is ranked on.

RankCityScoreSample
1Ann Arbor MI12%92
2Eden Prairie MN11%66
3Dublin OH9%57
4Chicago IL8%1,760
5Detroit MI6%231
6Rolling Meadows IL6%54
7Milwaukee WI5%270
8Bloomington MN5%60
9Indianapolis IN5%430
10Des Moines IA5%87
11St. Louis MO4%112
12Rochester MN4%46
13Cedar Rapids IA4%95
14Madison WI4%193
15Omaha NE4%173
16Mason OH4%50
17Minneapolis MN4%326
18Fort Wayne IN3%87
19La Crosse WI3%58
20Southfield MI3%59
21Lincoln NE3%92
22Grand Rapids MI3%154
23Akron OH3%126
24Cincinnati OH3%551
25St. Paul MN3%73
26Columbus OH3%694
27Dayton OH3%147
28Sioux Falls SD2%83
29Schaumburg IL2%87
30Fargo ND2%49
31Northbrook IL2%54
32Cleveland OH2%329
33Kansas City KS2%55
34Kansas City MO2%289
35Springfield IL2%121
36Peoria IL2%63
37Overland Park KS1%135
38Auburn Hills MI1%68
39St. Louis MO1%209
40Toledo OH1%71
41Lenexa KS1%76
42Springfield MO1%82
43Troy MI1%91
44Lansing MI0%102
45Mundelein IL0%88
46Wichita KS0%78
47Naperville IL0%72
48Appleton WI0%64
49Green Bay WI0%64
50Rockford IL0%57
51Oak Brook IL0%45
52Evansville IN0%42

How this ranking works

A city's score is the share of its entry-level and early-career roles whose posting names at least one AI skill or tool.

Only roles verified on the employer's own career site in the last week are counted. A city where one employer posts at least half the openings is not ranked, so a single company cannot decide a city's score.

Sample bar: cities with fewer than 40 openings are not ranked.

Sources: NextChapter job data: open professional roles on employer career sites, verified in the last week. Data as of November 2026.

Our job data covers professional roles on the career sites of employers we track, so figures describe that market, not every job. Spot an error? Tell us.

Questions

Which city ranks first: best cities for entry-level jobs that want ai skills in the midwest?
Ann Arbor leads the Midwest: 12% of its entry-level openings ask for AI skills, against 4% across all cities in our data.
How many cities are ranked?
52 cities have at least 40 entry-level openings, so the list has 52 entries.
How is the ranking calculated?
A city's score is the share of its entry-level and early-career roles whose posting names at least one AI skill or tool. Only roles verified on the employer's own career site in the last week are counted. A city where one employer posts at least half the openings is not ranked, so a single company cannot decide a city's score.
How often is it updated?
Every month. This is the November 2026 edition. Older editions stay on this site at their own dated addresses.

More rankings

Cite this ranking

NextChapter, “Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the Midwest,” November 2026 edition. https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/best-cities-for-entry-level-ai-jobs-in-the-midwest

Link to it: <a href="https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/best-cities-for-entry-level-ai-jobs-in-the-midwest">Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the Midwest (NextChapter, November 2026)</a>

Download the data: CSV · JSON. Free to use with a link back.

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