Portland ranks among worst metros for new grads

What they found: Researchers analyzed anonymized payroll data from more than 20,000 U.S. employers across 53 U.S. metro areas with populations of at least 1 million.

• Fast-growing Southern metros like Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa Bay, Florida, topped the list, while Portland; San Diego; Riverside, California; and Salt Lake City, Utah, landed at the bottom.

By the numbers: The average annual wage estimate for graduates with a bachelor's degree or equivalent aged 20 to 29 in Portland is $53,800, per ADP.

• By comparison, a living wage for an adult with no children in Portland is considered to be about $58,600 according to MIT's Living Wage Calculator.

Still, Portland has seen a rise in college graduates living here, and recent income data shows that degrees pay off locally.

The bottom line: Entry-level hiring is rebounding this spring — but in a tough job market, young professionals' prospects may depend on the role, sector and location, the Wall Street Journal reports.