Best cities for an assistant scientist
The best cities for assistant scientists are Oakland, CA, Indianapolis, IN, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for assistant scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for assistant scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an assistant scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for assistant scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for assistant scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an assistant scientist. While the absolute best city for assistant scientists is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for assistant scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for an assistant scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for assistant scientists in 2025
1. Oakland, CA
Total assistant scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $112,197 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 7.17 2. Indianapolis, IN
Total assistant scientist jobs: 36 Average annual salary: $77,114 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $114,000 Location quotient: 20.87 3. San Francisco, CA
Total assistant scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $112,482 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Memphis, TN
Total assistant scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $95,354 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Nashville, TN
Total assistant scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $97,019 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $145,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Fremont, CA
Total assistant scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $111,870 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. San Jose, CA
Total assistant scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $111,740 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Stockton, CA
Total assistant scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $110,891 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Tucson, AZ
Total assistant scientist jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $80,611 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 30.28 10. Sacramento, CA
Total assistant scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $110,752 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for assistant scientists
- Oakland, CA
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Memphis, TN
- Nashville, TN
- Fremont, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Stockton, CA
- Tucson, AZ
- Sacramento, CA
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- (36 assistant scientist jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for an assistant scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $112,197 | $69,000 | 420,005 | 3 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $77,114 | $51,000 | 855,164 | 36 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $112,482 | $69,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 4 | Memphis, TN | $95,354 | $62,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 5 | Nashville, TN | $97,019 | $64,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 6 | Fremont, CA | $111,870 | $69,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $111,740 | $69,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 8 | Stockton, CA | $110,891 | $68,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 9 | Tucson, AZ | $80,611 | $50,000 | 530,706 | 15 |
| 10 | Sacramento, CA | $110,752 | $68,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 11 | Baltimore, MD | $90,891 | $62,000 | 614,664 | 106 |
| 12 | Reno, NV | $86,376 | $53,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 13 | Fresno, CA | $108,895 | $67,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 14 | Fort Wayne, IN | $78,187 | $53,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 15 | Bakersfield, CA | $105,917 | $65,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 16 | Los Angeles, CA | $100,923 | $62,000 | 3,976,322 | 5 |
| 17 | Glendale, AZ | $83,730 | $52,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 18 | Phoenix, AZ | $83,643 | $52,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 19 | Scottsdale, AZ | $83,499 | $52,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 20 | Irvine, CA | $98,237 | $60,000 | 266,122 | 4 |
| 21 | North Las Vegas, NV | $80,925 | $49,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 22 | Detroit, MI | $72,832 | $49,000 | 672,795 | 6 |
| 23 | Las Vegas, NV | $81,165 | $50,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 24 | Chandler, AZ | $82,759 | $51,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 25 | Madison, WI | $68,624 | $46,000 | 252,551 | 120 |
| 26 | Boston, MA | $84,859 | $59,000 | 673,184 | 15 |
| 27 | Mesa, AZ | $82,733 | $51,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 28 | Henderson, NV | $80,496 | $49,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 29 | Gilbert, AZ | $82,620 | $51,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 30 | Long Beach, CA | $99,425 | $61,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 31 | Anaheim, CA | $99,140 | $61,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 32 | Santa Ana, CA | $98,686 | $60,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 33 | Riverside, CA | $98,504 | $60,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 34 | Milwaukee, WI | $69,258 | $47,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 35 | Philadelphia, PA | $66,157 | $45,000 | 1,567,872 | 64 |
| 36 | Chicago, IL | $79,759 | $53,000 | 2,704,958 | 8 |
| 37 | Portland, OR | $77,999 | $48,000 | 639,863 | 9 |
| 38 | San Diego, CA | $93,982 | $58,000 | 1,406,630 | 2 |
| 39 | Chula Vista, CA | $93,422 | $57,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 40 | Seattle, WA | $80,548 | $49,000 | 704,352 | 5 |
| 41 | Minneapolis, MN | $68,655 | $46,000 | 413,651 | 19 |
| 42 | Jersey City, NJ | $83,453 | $57,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 43 | Saint Paul, MN | $68,705 | $46,000 | 302,398 | 6 |
| 44 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $96,635 | $70,000 | 351,792 | - |
| 45 | Newark, NJ | $83,416 | $57,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 46 | Cleveland, OH | $67,643 | $46,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 47 | Durham, NC | $65,457 | $43,000 | 263,016 | 2 |
| 48 | Anchorage, AK | $75,075 | $47,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 49 | Toledo, OH | $66,995 | $45,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 50 | Columbus, OH | $66,456 | $45,000 | 860,090 | - |
Highest paying cities for assistant scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. assistant scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain View, CA | $112,080 |
| 2 | Hilo, HI | $94,235 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $90,891 |
| 4 | Falmouth, MA | $84,893 |
| 5 | Paterson, NJ | $83,478 |
| 6 | Tucson, AZ | $80,611 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $79,759 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $77,999 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $77,114 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $72,832 |
| 11 | Richmond, VA | $69,553 |
| 12 | Brookhaven, NY | $69,425 |
| 13 | Saint Paul, MN | $68,705 |
| 14 | Madison, WI | $68,624 |
| 15 | Sioux Falls, SD | $67,654 |
| 16 | Philadelphia, PA | $66,157 |
| 17 | Miami, FL | $63,650 |
| 18 | Boulder, CO | $63,541 |
| 19 | College Station, TX | $58,751 |
| 20 | Atlanta, GA | $56,712 |
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Updated January 8, 2025