Best cities for an assistant research scientist
The best cities for assistant research scientists are Atlanta, GA, Reno, NV, and Chicago, IL, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for assistant research scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for assistant research scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an assistant research scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for assistant research scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for assistant research scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an assistant research scientist. While the absolute best city for assistant research scientists is Atlanta, GA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for assistant research scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for an assistant research scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for assistant research scientists in 2025
1. Atlanta, GA
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 104 Average annual salary: $68,643 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Location quotient: 34.79 2. Reno, NV
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $67,357 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 12.29 3. Chicago, IL
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $71,426 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $100,000 Location quotient: 5.93 4. Lexington, KY
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,279 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Columbus, OH
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,642 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Louisville, KY
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,043 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Cincinnati, OH
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,021 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $90,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. New Orleans, LA
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,589 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Las Vegas, NV
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $65,444 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 2.62 10. Cleveland, OH
Total assistant research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $65,485 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 0.00
Choose from 10+ customizable assistant research scientist resume templates
Choose from a variety of easy-to-use assistant research scientist resume templates and get expert advice from Zippia’s AI resume writer along the way. Using pre-approved templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your assistant research scientist resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
Best cities for assistant research scientists
- Atlanta, GA
- Reno, NV
- Chicago, IL
- Lexington, KY
- Columbus, OH
- Louisville, KY
- Cincinnati, OH
- New Orleans, LA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Cleveland, OH
- (104 assistant research scientist jobs)
- (3 assistant research scientist jobs)
- (19 assistant research scientist jobs)
- (0 assistant research scientist jobs)
- (0 assistant research scientist jobs)
- (0 assistant research scientist jobs)
- (0 assistant research scientist jobs)
- (0 assistant research scientist jobs)
- (2 assistant research scientist jobs)
- (0 assistant research scientist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an assistant research scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | $68,643 | $47,000 | 472,522 | 104 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $67,357 | $47,000 | 245,255 | 3 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $71,426 | $50,000 | 2,704,958 | 19 |
| 4 | Lexington, KY | $67,279 | $47,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $64,642 | $45,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 6 | Louisville, KY | $67,043 | $47,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 7 | Cincinnati, OH | $64,021 | $45,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 8 | New Orleans, LA | $67,589 | $45,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 9 | Las Vegas, NV | $65,444 | $45,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 10 | Cleveland, OH | $65,485 | $46,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $74,532 | $52,000 | 673,184 | 5 |
| 12 | Toledo, OH | $65,095 | $46,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 13 | Portland, OR | $72,912 | $52,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 14 | Fort Wayne, IN | $62,431 | $44,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 15 | Madison, WI | $59,600 | $42,000 | 252,551 | 171 |
| 16 | San Francisco, CA | $76,479 | $52,000 | 870,887 | 145 |
| 17 | North Las Vegas, NV | $65,384 | $45,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 18 | Henderson, NV | $65,365 | $45,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 19 | Durham, NC | $64,154 | $44,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 20 | Raleigh, NC | $64,133 | $44,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 21 | Greensboro, NC | $63,995 | $44,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 22 | Winston-Salem, NC | $63,893 | $44,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 23 | Charlotte, NC | $63,534 | $44,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 24 | Indianapolis, IN | $61,832 | $43,000 | 855,164 | 3 |
| 25 | Albuquerque, NM | $63,785 | $44,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 26 | Sacramento, CA | $75,444 | $52,000 | 495,234 | 20 |
| 27 | Nashville, TN | $58,534 | $40,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 28 | Minneapolis, MN | $66,486 | $48,000 | 413,651 | 3 |
| 29 | Milwaukee, WI | $59,979 | $42,000 | 595,047 | 5 |
| 30 | Oakland, CA | $76,250 | $52,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 31 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $64,089 | $43,000 | 260,999 | 7 |
| 32 | Memphis, TN | $58,197 | $40,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 33 | Jersey City, NJ | $73,037 | $51,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 34 | Newark, NJ | $73,009 | $51,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 35 | Saint Paul, MN | $66,508 | $48,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 36 | Saint Louis, MO | $63,100 | $44,000 | 311,404 | - |
| 37 | Jacksonville, FL | $65,111 | $44,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 38 | Detroit, MI | $60,377 | $42,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 39 | Los Angeles, CA | $73,041 | $51,000 | 3,976,322 | 194 |
| 40 | Kansas City, MO | $62,854 | $44,000 | 481,420 | - |
| 41 | Riverside, CA | $72,556 | $50,000 | 324,722 | 24 |
| 42 | Philadelphia, PA | $59,719 | $41,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 43 | Tucson, AZ | $59,479 | $41,000 | 530,706 | 114 |
| 44 | Washington, DC | $80,233 | $56,000 | 681,170 | 2 |
| 45 | Fremont, CA | $75,996 | $52,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 46 | San Jose, CA | $75,908 | $52,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 47 | San Diego, CA | $72,289 | $50,000 | 1,406,630 | 65 |
| 48 | Irvine, CA | $72,677 | $50,000 | 266,122 | 9 |
| 49 | Stockton, CA | $75,351 | $52,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 50 | Orlando, FL | $64,247 | $43,000 | 277,173 | - |
Highest paying cities for assistant research scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. assistant research scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $76,479 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $71,426 |
| 3 | Atlanta, GA | $68,643 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $67,879 |
| 5 | Gainesville, FL | $64,837 |
| 6 | Laramie, WY | $62,552 |
| 7 | West Lafayette, IN | $61,797 |
| 8 | Ann Arbor, MI | $60,216 |
| 9 | Tempe, AZ | $59,616 |
| 10 | Madison, WI | $59,600 |
| 11 | New York, NY | $57,176 |
| 12 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $56,228 |
| 13 | Iowa City, IA | $54,482 |
| 14 | Lawrence, KS | $52,006 |
| 15 | El Paso, TX | $50,227 |











