Best cities for an advanced software engineer
The best cities for advanced software engineers are Scottsdale, AZ, Reno, NV, and Phoenix, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for advanced software engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for advanced software engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an advanced software engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for advanced software engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for advanced software engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an advanced software engineer. While the absolute best city for advanced software engineers is Scottsdale, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for advanced software engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for an advanced software engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for advanced software engineers in 2025
1. Scottsdale, AZ
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $109,341 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 56.79 2. Reno, NV
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $107,755 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $140,000 Location quotient: 15.68 3. Phoenix, AZ
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $109,388 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 11.99 4. Mesa, AZ
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $109,277 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 16.72 5. Arlington, TX
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $105,795 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 41.03 6. Austin, TX
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $106,382 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 8.83 7. Plano, TX
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $105,484 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 14.38 8. Las Vegas, NV
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 27 Average annual salary: $103,828 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 45.13 9. Tucson, AZ
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $109,095 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 3.48 10. Glendale, AZ
Total advanced software engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $109,409 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 0.00
Best cities for advanced software engineers
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Reno, NV
- Phoenix, AZ
- Mesa, AZ
- Arlington, TX
- Austin, TX
- Plano, TX
- Las Vegas, NV
- Tucson, AZ
- Glendale, AZ
- (15 advanced software engineer jobs)
- (3 advanced software engineer jobs)
- (19 advanced software engineer jobs)
- (2 advanced software engineer jobs)
- (5 advanced software engineer jobs)
- (15 advanced software engineer jobs)
- (12 advanced software engineer jobs)
- (27 advanced software engineer jobs)
- (1 advanced software engineer jobs)
- (0 advanced software engineer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an advanced software engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsdale, AZ | $109,341 | $85,000 | 246,645 | 15 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $107,755 | $82,000 | 245,255 | 3 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $109,388 | $85,000 | 1,615,017 | 19 |
| 4 | Mesa, AZ | $109,277 | $85,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 5 | Arlington, TX | $105,795 | $83,000 | 392,772 | 5 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $106,382 | $83,000 | 947,890 | 15 |
| 7 | Plano, TX | $105,484 | $83,000 | 286,057 | 12 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $103,828 | $80,000 | 632,912 | 27 |
| 9 | Tucson, AZ | $109,095 | $85,000 | 530,706 | 1 |
| 10 | Glendale, AZ | $109,409 | $85,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $119,013 | $93,000 | 704,352 | 6 |
| 12 | Chandler, AZ | $109,302 | $85,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 13 | Houston, TX | $105,901 | $83,000 | 2,303,482 | 4 |
| 14 | Gilbert, AZ | $109,280 | $85,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 15 | Lubbock, TX | $106,382 | $83,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 16 | El Paso, TX | $107,761 | $84,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 17 | San Antonio, TX | $106,337 | $83,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 18 | Fort Worth, TX | $105,825 | $83,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 19 | Charlotte, NC | $101,214 | $79,000 | 842,051 | 14 |
| 20 | Laredo, TX | $105,754 | $83,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 21 | Dallas, TX | $105,693 | $83,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 22 | Irving, TX | $105,686 | $83,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 23 | Garland, TX | $105,555 | $83,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 24 | Atlanta, GA | $104,360 | $82,000 | 472,522 | 22 |
| 25 | Corpus Christi, TX | $105,482 | $83,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 26 | Madison, WI | $95,194 | $75,000 | 252,551 | 17 |
| 27 | Cleveland, OH | $91,734 | $72,000 | 385,809 | 2 |
| 28 | Raleigh, NC | $101,533 | $79,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 29 | North Las Vegas, NV | $103,727 | $80,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 30 | Durham, NC | $101,436 | $79,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 31 | Henderson, NV | $103,512 | $80,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 32 | Greensboro, NC | $101,229 | $79,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 33 | Pittsburgh, PA | $93,024 | $73,000 | 303,625 | 9 |
| 34 | Winston-Salem, NC | $101,135 | $79,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 35 | Columbus, OH | $91,778 | $72,000 | 860,090 | 1 |
| 36 | Cincinnati, OH | $91,627 | $72,000 | 298,800 | 1 |
| 37 | Memphis, TN | $92,810 | $73,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 38 | Nashville, TN | $92,311 | $72,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 39 | Toledo, OH | $91,331 | $72,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 40 | Portland, OR | $108,729 | $84,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 41 | Philadelphia, PA | $94,828 | $74,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 42 | Tampa, FL | $102,288 | $80,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 43 | Milwaukee, WI | $95,334 | $75,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 44 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $102,248 | $80,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 45 | Detroit, MI | $92,749 | $73,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 46 | Fremont, CA | $118,034 | $90,000 | 233,136 | 3 |
| 47 | Orlando, FL | $102,184 | $80,000 | 277,173 | - |
| 48 | Jacksonville, FL | $102,124 | $80,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 49 | Oklahoma City, OK | $93,096 | $73,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 50 | San Jose, CA | $117,735 | $90,000 | 1,025,350 | 9 |
Highest paying cities for advanced software engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. advanced software engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $119,013 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $117,735 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $109,388 |
| 4 | Austin, TX | $106,382 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $104,360 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $104,166 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $103,828 |
| 8 | Clearwater, FL | $102,373 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $101,774 |
| 10 | Charlotte, NC | $101,214 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $98,362 |
| 12 | Wilmington, DE | $97,822 |
| 13 | Dedham, MA | $96,539 |
| 14 | Egg Harbor, NJ | $95,985 |
| 15 | Milford, CT | $95,841 |
| 16 | Madison, WI | $95,194 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh, PA | $93,024 |
| 18 | Colorado Springs, CO | $92,932 |
| 19 | Huntsville, AL | $92,871 |
| 20 | Troy, MI | $92,740 |
Advanced software engineer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025