A Maryland suburb only 45 minutes from D.C. just got ranked among the best places in America for summer jobs

A new WalletHub study just ranked Columbia, Maryland, a suburb less than an hour from the District, as the No. 4 best place in the nation for summer jobs.

A Maryland suburb only 45 minutes from D.C. just got ranked among the best places in America for summer jobs. A new study from WalletHub ranked the planned Maryland community as the No. 4 best place in the United States for summer jobs in 2026. The report compared more than 180 cities across the country using factors like job availability, affordability, average income, and workforce opportunities. Located between Baltimore and Washington, Columbia has quietly built a reputation as one of the most economically stable and opportunity-rich communities in the region. The city’s combination of strong employers, educated workforce, and high quality of life helped it stand out in WalletHub’s rankings. The study arrives as many students and young adults begin searching for seasonal work in retail, food service, recreation, internships, and offic...