Best cities for an automation tester
The best cities for automation testers are Columbus, OH, Durham, NC, and Raleigh, NC, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for automation testers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for automation testers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an automation tester or considering a move, this list of the best cities for automation testers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for automation testers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an automation tester. While the absolute best city for automation testers is Columbus, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for automation testers in 2024.
If you're looking for an automation tester job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for automation testers in 2026
1. Columbus, OH
Total automation tester jobs: 26 Average annual salary: $81,262 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 6.80 2. Durham, NC
Total automation tester jobs: 20 Average annual salary: $82,824 Lowest 10 percent warn: $63,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 14.33 3. Raleigh, NC
Total automation tester jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $82,986 Lowest 10 percent warn: $63,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 5.37 4. Cincinnati, OH
Total automation tester jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $80,304 Lowest 10 percent warn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 3.78 5. Sacramento, CA
Total automation tester jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $105,899 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $147,000 Location quotient: 4.47 6. Norfolk, VA
Total automation tester jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $92,474 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $121,000 Location quotient: 12.89 7. Charlotte, NC
Total automation tester jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $80,479 Lowest 10 percent warn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 4.52 8. Detroit, MI
Total automation tester jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $79,305 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 2.76 9. Plano, TX
Total automation tester jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $79,673 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $106,000 Location quotient: 4.61 10. Philadelphia, PA
Total automation tester jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $83,998 Lowest 10 percent warn: $63,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 0.96
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Best cities for automation testers
- Columbus, OH
- Durham, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Cincinnati, OH
- Sacramento, CA
- Norfolk, VA
- Charlotte, NC
- Detroit, MI
- Plano, TX
- Philadelphia, PA
- (26 automation tester jobs)
- (20 automation tester jobs)
- (12 automation tester jobs)
- (7 automation tester jobs)
- (8 automation tester jobs)
- (8 automation tester jobs)
- (23 automation tester jobs)
- (5 automation tester jobs)
- (13 automation tester jobs)
- (4 automation tester jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an automation tester
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus, OH | $81,262 | $62,000 | 860,090 | 26 |
| 2 | Durham, NC | $82,824 | $63,000 | 263,016 | 20 |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | $82,986 | $63,000 | 458,880 | 12 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | $80,304 | $61,000 | 298,800 | 7 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $105,899 | $76,000 | 495,234 | 8 |
| 6 | Norfolk, VA | $92,474 | $70,000 | 245,115 | 8 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $80,479 | $61,000 | 842,051 | 23 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $79,305 | $60,000 | 672,795 | 5 |
| 9 | Plano, TX | $79,673 | $59,000 | 286,057 | 13 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $83,998 | $63,000 | 1,567,872 | 4 |
| 11 | Reno, NV | $94,517 | $68,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $82,058 | $62,000 | 385,809 | 1 |
| 13 | Scottsdale, AZ | $79,697 | $58,000 | 246,645 | 5 |
| 14 | Milwaukee, WI | $78,561 | $60,000 | 595,047 | 5 |
| 15 | Pittsburgh, PA | $80,221 | $61,000 | 303,625 | 4 |
| 16 | Fremont, CA | $106,885 | $76,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 17 | Las Vegas, NV | $91,001 | $65,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 18 | Irving, TX | $79,982 | $60,000 | 238,289 | 12 |
| 19 | Portland, OR | $97,178 | $71,000 | 639,863 | 2 |
| 20 | North Las Vegas, NV | $90,874 | $65,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 21 | Austin, TX | $81,900 | $61,000 | 947,890 | 12 |
| 22 | Chandler, AZ | $79,569 | $58,000 | 247,477 | 4 |
| 23 | Gilbert, AZ | $79,529 | $58,000 | 237,133 | 1 |
| 24 | Henderson, NV | $90,262 | $64,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 25 | San Antonio, TX | $82,136 | $61,000 | 1,492,510 | 5 |
| 26 | San Francisco, CA | $107,380 | $77,000 | 870,887 | 6 |
| 27 | Seattle, WA | $98,725 | $72,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 28 | Toledo, OH | $80,932 | $62,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 29 | Saint Louis, MO | $77,203 | $59,000 | 311,404 | 11 |
| 30 | Oakland, CA | $107,184 | $76,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 31 | Dallas, TX | $80,015 | $60,000 | 1,317,929 | 14 |
| 32 | San Jose, CA | $106,666 | $76,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 33 | Stockton, CA | $106,273 | $76,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 34 | Tampa, FL | $79,370 | $59,000 | 377,165 | 13 |
| 35 | Greensboro, NC | $81,957 | $62,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 36 | Laredo, TX | $82,278 | $61,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 37 | Fresno, CA | $103,824 | $74,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 38 | Corpus Christi, TX | $82,236 | $61,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 39 | Winston-Salem, NC | $81,504 | $62,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 40 | Phoenix, AZ | $79,765 | $59,000 | 1,615,017 | 9 |
| 41 | El Paso, TX | $82,170 | $61,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 42 | Virginia Beach, VA | $92,714 | $70,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 43 | Saint Paul, MN | $77,228 | $59,000 | 302,398 | 7 |
| 44 | Indianapolis, IN | $72,070 | $55,000 | 855,164 | 13 |
| 45 | Houston, TX | $81,858 | $61,000 | 2,303,482 | 3 |
| 46 | Orlando, FL | $78,657 | $59,000 | 277,173 | 6 |
| 47 | Chesapeake, VA | $92,383 | $70,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 48 | Nashville, TN | $69,127 | $53,000 | 660,388 | 12 |
| 49 | Miami, FL | $79,513 | $59,000 | 453,579 | 7 |
| 50 | Lubbock, TX | $80,691 | $60,000 | 252,506 | - |
Highest paying cities for automation testers
| Rank | City | Avg. automation tester salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Ramon, CA | $106,917 |
| 2 | Norfolk, VA | $92,474 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $89,347 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $88,698 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $83,998 |
| 6 | Edison, NJ | $83,899 |
| 7 | Jacksonville, NC | $83,675 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $82,889 |
| 9 | San Antonio, TX | $82,136 |
| 10 | Columbus, OH | $81,262 |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $80,756 |
| 12 | Columbia, SC | $79,653 |
| 13 | Miami, FL | $79,513 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $79,305 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $77,850 |
| 16 | Richfield, MN | $77,237 |
| 17 | Saint Louis, MO | $77,203 |
| 18 | Columbus, MS | $75,390 |
| 19 | Alpharetta, GA | $74,258 |
| 20 | Jacksonville, AR | $72,425 |











