In 2020 especially, optimism is in high demand and in short supply — except in these cities.

According to a LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index that surveyed more than 33,000 U.S. professionals from July through September, there are 10 metro areas across the country where employee confidence is soaring.

So what are the top 10 U.S. cities with the most confident workers? Don’t expect to look toward New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago.

Colorado Springs, Colo., Provo, Utah, and Tampa topped the list. These Sunbelt cities have benefited from steady population growth.

The research calculated workforce confidence on a scale of +100 to -100, based on participants’ views of their current job security (or ability to land a new position), their finances, and their longer-term career prospects. As indicated by the chart below, confidence levels are +37 or better for the top 10 cities highlighted, topping the national average of +31.

LinkedIn Workforce Confidence

What about the least confident cities for workers?

According to LinkedIn’s research, cities in the industrial Midwest and in western states are lagging: Tucson (+18), Milwaukee (+19), Las Vegas (+24), and Chicago (+26).

Click here to read more insights from the research.