Best cities for an associate/contractor
The best cities for associate/contractors are Oakland, CA, Columbus, OH, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for associate/contractors vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for associate/contractors in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an associate/contractor or considering a move, this list of the best cities for associate/contractors to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for associate/contractors. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an associate/contractor. While the absolute best city for associate/contractors is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for associate/contractors in 2024.
If you're looking for an associate/contractor job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for associate/contractors in 2025
1. Oakland, CA
Total associate/contractor jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $79,257 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 4.51 2. Columbus, OH
Total associate/contractor jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $62,513 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 3.39 3. San Francisco, CA
Total associate/contractor jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $79,408 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 3.45 4. Wichita, KS
Total associate/contractor jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $60,796 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 2.54 5. Mesa, AZ
Total associate/contractor jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $62,954 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $102,000 Location quotient: 4.57 6. Nashville, TN
Total associate/contractor jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $57,830 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Location quotient: 1.64 7. Detroit, MI
Total associate/contractor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $65,352 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Baltimore, MD
Total associate/contractor jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $73,568 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $135,000 Location quotient: 10.51 9. Las Vegas, NV
Total associate/contractor jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $66,942 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 0.91 10. Cincinnati, OH
Total associate/contractor jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $62,051 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 1.00
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Best cities for associate/contractors
- Oakland, CA
- Columbus, OH
- San Francisco, CA
- Wichita, KS
- Mesa, AZ
- Nashville, TN
- Detroit, MI
- Baltimore, MD
- Las Vegas, NV
- Cincinnati, OH
- (2 associate/contractor jobs)
- (7 associate/contractor jobs)
- (16 associate/contractor jobs)
- (1 associate/contractor jobs)
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- (2 associate/contractor jobs)
- (0 associate/contractor jobs)
- (15 associate/contractor jobs)
- (1 associate/contractor jobs)
- (1 associate/contractor jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an associate/contractor
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $79,257 | $48,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 2 | Columbus, OH | $62,513 | $35,000 | 860,090 | 7 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $79,408 | $48,000 | 870,887 | 16 |
| 4 | Wichita, KS | $60,796 | $38,000 | 389,902 | 1 |
| 5 | Mesa, AZ | $62,954 | $38,000 | 484,587 | 1 |
| 6 | Nashville, TN | $57,830 | $33,000 | 660,388 | 2 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $65,352 | $36,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $73,568 | $40,000 | 614,664 | 15 |
| 9 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,942 | $41,000 | 632,912 | 1 |
| 10 | Cincinnati, OH | $62,051 | $35,000 | 298,800 | 1 |
| 11 | Cleveland, OH | $60,270 | $33,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 12 | Henderson, NV | $66,952 | $41,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 13 | New York, NY | $72,923 | $39,000 | 8,537,673 | 30 |
| 14 | North Las Vegas, NV | $66,835 | $41,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 15 | New Orleans, LA | $64,905 | $36,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 16 | Toledo, OH | $59,479 | $33,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 17 | Reno, NV | $66,689 | $41,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 18 | Phoenix, AZ | $63,114 | $38,000 | 1,615,017 | 5 |
| 19 | San Jose, CA | $78,853 | $48,000 | 1,025,350 | 3 |
| 20 | Sacramento, CA | $78,318 | $48,000 | 495,234 | 1 |
| 21 | Louisville, KY | $57,729 | $33,000 | 597,337 | 2 |
| 22 | Fremont, CA | $79,015 | $48,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 23 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,745 | $31,000 | 1,567,872 | 9 |
| 24 | Virginia Beach, VA | $70,070 | $38,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 25 | Stockton, CA | $78,546 | $48,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 26 | Norfolk, VA | $69,908 | $38,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 27 | Chesapeake, VA | $69,792 | $38,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 28 | Islip, NY | $72,438 | $38,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 29 | Lexington, KY | $59,089 | $34,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 30 | Oyster Bay, NY | $71,944 | $38,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 31 | Milwaukee, WI | $57,228 | $33,000 | 595,047 | 4 |
| 32 | Scottsdale, AZ | $63,124 | $38,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 33 | Raleigh, NC | $59,097 | $32,000 | 458,880 | 4 |
| 34 | Hempstead, NY | $73,052 | $39,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 35 | Glendale, AZ | $63,115 | $38,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 36 | Fresno, CA | $77,298 | $47,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 37 | Los Angeles, CA | $75,579 | $47,000 | 3,976,322 | 7 |
| 38 | Chandler, AZ | $62,930 | $38,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 39 | Gilbert, AZ | $62,915 | $38,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 40 | Brookhaven, NY | $71,427 | $38,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 41 | Memphis, TN | $56,647 | $33,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 42 | Bakersfield, CA | $76,492 | $47,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 43 | Tucson, AZ | $62,371 | $38,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 44 | Buffalo, NY | $60,383 | $33,000 | 256,902 | 5 |
| 45 | San Antonio, TX | $59,877 | $34,000 | 1,492,510 | 2 |
| 46 | Austin, TX | $59,670 | $34,000 | 947,890 | 5 |
| 47 | Dallas, TX | $58,215 | $34,000 | 1,317,929 | 9 |
| 48 | Long Beach, CA | $75,255 | $46,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 49 | Anaheim, CA | $75,247 | $46,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 50 | Washington, DC | $67,745 | $36,000 | 681,170 | 16 |
Highest paying cities for associate/contractors
| Rank | City | Avg. associate/contractor salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novato, CA | $79,483 |
| 2 | Annapolis, MD | $74,187 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $72,923 |
| 4 | Arlington, VA | $68,052 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $67,745 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,942 |
| 7 | Battle Creek, MI | $65,758 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $62,513 |
| 9 | Wichita, KS | $60,796 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $59,877 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $59,762 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $59,097 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,745 |
| 14 | Hartford, CT | $58,566 |
| 15 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $57,750 |
| 16 | Lawrenceville, GA | $56,070 |
| 17 | Aurora, CO | $55,169 |
| 18 | Aiken, SC | $53,035 |
| 19 | Portland, OR | $52,196 |
| 20 | Newton, MA | $49,984 |
Associate/contractor best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025