Visakhapatnam has retained the top spot among India's fastest growing non-metro job markets, according to a report by professional networking platform LinkedIn. The report said Visakhapatnam was followed by Ludhiana, Surat, Vadodara and Prayagraj in the top five as smaller cities emerge as hiring and migration hubs. It highlighted the shifting geography of jobs as growth spreads beyond traditional industrial centres. Technology, financial services, manufacturing, education and infrastructure investment are shaping distinct growth pathways and job opportunities across these emerging cities. Artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, IT and services are joining legacy sectors to create multi-sector markets that attract a wider set of employers. The report noted ports, textiles, pharma, chemicals and manufacturing remain important anchors while new investment diversifies local economies. 72 per cent of professionals in India are actively looking for a new role this year and 76 per cent said the search has become harder amid greater competition and widening skill gaps linked to AI. The number of applicants per open role has more than doubled since early 2022, intensifying pressure on candidates and employers alike. Against this backdrop, emerging cities are providing professionals access to a broader range of industries and career pathways closer to home. A LinkedIn career expert advised job seekers to explore where employers are investing, assess whether skills can move across sectors, and expand searches beyond metros into adjacent roles to uncover credible career paths. Visakhapatnam is combining its port, pharma and manufacturing base with major AI, data centre and technology investments, while Ludhiana is adding steel, aviation and hospitality to its manufacturing profile. Surat is extending beyond textiles and diamonds through startups, exports and real estate and Vadodara is attracting technology, engineering and enterprise investment alongside chemicals and machinery.