Best cities for an associate research scientist
The best cities for associate research scientists are Memphis, TN, San Francisco, CA, and Indianapolis, IN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for associate research scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for associate research scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an associate research scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for associate research scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for associate research scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an associate research scientist. While the absolute best city for associate research scientists is Memphis, TN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for associate research scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for an associate research scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for associate research scientists in 2026
1. Memphis, TN
Total associate research scientist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $92,107 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 5.66 2. San Francisco, CA
Total associate research scientist jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $107,179 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 3.13 3. Indianapolis, IN
Total associate research scientist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $84,660 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 2.84 4. Philadelphia, PA
Total associate research scientist jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $77,687 Lowest 10 percent warn: $53,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $112,000 Location quotient: 3.70 5. San Diego, CA
Total associate research scientist jobs: 29 Average annual salary: $94,009 Lowest 10 percent warn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $143,000 Location quotient: 10.70 6. Baltimore, MD
Total associate research scientist jobs: 50 Average annual salary: $85,869 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $124,000 Location quotient: 36.40 7. Los Angeles, CA
Total associate research scientist jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $99,136 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location quotient: 3.13 8. Nashville, TN
Total associate research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $94,158 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Toledo, OH
Total associate research scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $67,175 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location quotient: 10.06 10. Fort Wayne, IN
Total associate research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $87,016 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for associate research scientists
- Memphis, TN
- San Francisco, CA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Philadelphia, PA
- San Diego, CA
- Baltimore, MD
- Los Angeles, CA
- Nashville, TN
- Toledo, OH
- Fort Wayne, IN
- (5 associate research scientist jobs)
- (14 associate research scientist jobs)
- (5 associate research scientist jobs)
- (8 associate research scientist jobs)
- (29 associate research scientist jobs)
- (50 associate research scientist jobs)
- (12 associate research scientist jobs)
- (0 associate research scientist jobs)
- (2 associate research scientist jobs)
- (0 associate research scientist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an associate research scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis, TN | $92,107 | $62,000 | 652,717 | 5 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $107,179 | $68,000 | 870,887 | 14 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $84,660 | $58,000 | 855,164 | 5 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $77,687 | $53,000 | 1,567,872 | 8 |
| 5 | San Diego, CA | $94,009 | $61,000 | 1,406,630 | 29 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $85,869 | $59,000 | 614,664 | 50 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $99,136 | $64,000 | 3,976,322 | 12 |
| 8 | Nashville, TN | $94,158 | $64,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 9 | Toledo, OH | $67,175 | $46,000 | 278,508 | 2 |
| 10 | Fort Wayne, IN | $87,016 | $59,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $76,319 | $52,000 | 673,184 | 151 |
| 12 | San Jose, CA | $107,023 | $68,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 13 | Milwaukee, WI | $75,967 | $51,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 14 | Tucson, AZ | $71,291 | $47,000 | 530,706 | 13 |
| 15 | Fremont, CA | $106,711 | $68,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 16 | Oakland, CA | $106,644 | $68,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 17 | Stockton, CA | $103,285 | $66,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 18 | Jersey City, NJ | $95,242 | $65,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 19 | Fresno, CA | $103,228 | $66,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 20 | Newark, NJ | $95,203 | $65,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 21 | Bakersfield, CA | $101,899 | $65,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 22 | Sacramento, CA | $101,336 | $65,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 23 | Pittsburgh, PA | $76,330 | $52,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 24 | Long Beach, CA | $98,238 | $63,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 25 | Anaheim, CA | $97,888 | $63,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 26 | Irvine, CA | $97,277 | $63,000 | 266,122 | 1 |
| 27 | Santa Ana, CA | $97,610 | $63,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 28 | New York, NY | $70,432 | $48,000 | 8,537,673 | 183 |
| 29 | Riverside, CA | $97,095 | $63,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 30 | Madison, WI | $75,166 | $51,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 31 | Phoenix, AZ | $72,595 | $48,000 | 1,615,017 | 4 |
| 32 | Cincinnati, OH | $64,532 | $44,000 | 298,800 | 3 |
| 33 | Saint Paul, MN | $75,629 | $51,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 34 | Minneapolis, MN | $75,572 | $51,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 35 | Raleigh, NC | $64,368 | $44,000 | 458,880 | 5 |
| 36 | Detroit, MI | $72,970 | $50,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 37 | Glendale, AZ | $72,711 | $48,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 38 | Columbus, OH | $66,176 | $45,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 39 | Lexington, KY | $60,475 | $41,000 | 318,449 | 2 |
| 40 | Oklahoma City, OK | $58,278 | $39,000 | 638,367 | 34 |
| 41 | Chula Vista, CA | $93,476 | $61,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 42 | Scottsdale, AZ | $72,314 | $48,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 43 | Chandler, AZ | $72,220 | $48,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 44 | Cleveland, OH | $67,789 | $46,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 45 | Anchorage, AK | $76,916 | $47,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 46 | Seattle, WA | $71,112 | $45,000 | 704,352 | 15 |
| 47 | Buffalo, NY | $69,667 | $48,000 | 256,902 | 3 |
| 48 | Chicago, IL | $70,256 | $48,000 | 2,704,958 | 8 |
| 49 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,487 | $43,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 50 | Gilbert, AZ | $72,107 | $47,000 | 237,133 | - |
Highest paying cities for associate research scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. associate research scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South San Francisco, CA | $107,331 |
| 2 | New Brunswick, NJ | $94,974 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $85,869 |
| 4 | West Lafayette, IN | $84,906 |
| 5 | Farmington, CT | $79,450 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $77,687 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $76,319 |
| 8 | Richmond, VA | $75,286 |
| 9 | Midland, MI | $73,140 |
| 10 | Tempe, AZ | $72,348 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $71,112 |
| 12 | New York, NY | $70,432 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $70,256 |
| 14 | Washington, DC | $65,468 |
| 15 | Laramie, WY | $61,345 |
| 16 | Boulder, CO | $61,195 |
| 17 | Iowa City, IA | $60,110 |
| 18 | Oklahoma City, OK | $58,278 |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $57,705 |
| 20 | San Antonio, TX | $56,017 |
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Updated January 8, 2025