Best cities for an automotive engineer
The best cities for automotive engineers are Las Vegas, NV, San Francisco, CA, and Oakland, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for automotive engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for automotive engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an automotive engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for automotive engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for automotive engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an automotive engineer. While the absolute best city for automotive engineers is Las Vegas, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for automotive engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for an automotive engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for automotive engineers in 2026
1. Las Vegas, NV
Total automotive engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $93,891 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 7.46 2. San Francisco, CA
Total automotive engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $121,769 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Oakland, CA
Total automotive engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $121,625 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. San Jose, CA
Total automotive engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $121,238 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 2.48 5. Fremont, CA
Total automotive engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $121,384 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Sacramento, CA
Total automotive engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $121,033 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $176,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. North Las Vegas, NV
Total automotive engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $93,798 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Stockton, CA
Total automotive engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $121,024 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $176,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Fresno, CA
Total automotive engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $119,522 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Reno, NV
Total automotive engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $96,357 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $140,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for automotive engineers
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Francisco, CA
- Oakland, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Stockton, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Reno, NV
- (2 automotive engineer jobs)
- (0 automotive engineer jobs)
- (0 automotive engineer jobs)
- (2 automotive engineer jobs)
- (0 automotive engineer jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for an automotive engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | $93,891 | $64,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $121,769 | $83,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | $121,625 | $83,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $121,238 | $82,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 5 | Fremont, CA | $121,384 | $83,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $121,033 | $82,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 7 | North Las Vegas, NV | $93,798 | $64,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 8 | Stockton, CA | $121,024 | $82,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 9 | Fresno, CA | $119,522 | $81,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 10 | Reno, NV | $96,357 | $66,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 11 | Glendale, AZ | $94,481 | $65,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 12 | Bakersfield, CA | $116,735 | $79,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $94,452 | $65,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 14 | Scottsdale, AZ | $94,406 | $65,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 15 | Henderson, NV | $93,380 | $63,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 16 | Chandler, AZ | $94,122 | $65,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 17 | Mesa, AZ | $94,112 | $65,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 18 | Tucson, AZ | $93,470 | $64,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 19 | Irvine, CA | $111,449 | $77,000 | 266,122 | 2 |
| 20 | Gilbert, AZ | $94,075 | $65,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 21 | Los Angeles, CA | $112,966 | $77,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 22 | San Diego, CA | $109,186 | $75,000 | 1,406,630 | 8 |
| 23 | Long Beach, CA | $112,070 | $77,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 24 | Anaheim, CA | $112,000 | $77,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 25 | Madison, WI | $82,361 | $58,000 | 252,551 | 5 |
| 26 | Riverside, CA | $111,820 | $77,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 27 | Indianapolis, IN | $82,096 | $58,000 | 855,164 | 2 |
| 28 | Santa Ana, CA | $111,707 | $77,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 29 | Fort Wayne, IN | $83,055 | $58,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 30 | Detroit, MI | $82,079 | $57,000 | 672,795 | 1 |
| 31 | Chula Vista, CA | $108,888 | $75,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 32 | Albuquerque, NM | $85,191 | $58,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 33 | El Paso, TX | $86,083 | $59,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 34 | Austin, TX | $83,535 | $57,000 | 947,890 | 3 |
| 35 | San Antonio, TX | $83,833 | $57,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 36 | Laredo, TX | $83,708 | $57,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 37 | Milwaukee, WI | $82,829 | $59,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 38 | Lubbock, TX | $83,303 | $57,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 39 | Cleveland, OH | $77,368 | $54,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 40 | Toledo, OH | $76,382 | $53,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 41 | Corpus Christi, TX | $83,082 | $56,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 42 | Houston, TX | $82,817 | $56,000 | 2,303,482 | 3 |
| 43 | Fort Worth, TX | $81,498 | $55,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 44 | Columbus, OH | $76,071 | $53,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 45 | Arlington, TX | $81,418 | $55,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 46 | Seattle, WA | $90,825 | $63,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 47 | Dallas, TX | $81,169 | $55,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 48 | Irving, TX | $81,160 | $55,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 49 | Garland, TX | $80,877 | $55,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 50 | Hempstead, NY | $93,144 | $64,000 | 759,757 | - |
Highest paying cities for automotive engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. automotive engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belmont, CA | $121,603 |
| 2 | Casa Grande, AZ | $93,928 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $91,207 |
| 4 | Pflugerville, TX | $83,464 |
| 5 | East Chicago, IN | $82,153 |
| 6 | Warren, MI | $82,101 |
| 7 | Columbus, GA | $80,824 |
| 8 | Miami Beach, FL | $76,974 |
| 9 | Findlay, OH | $76,100 |
| 10 | Greensboro, NC | $72,848 |
| 11 | Montgomery, AL | $72,355 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | $71,140 |
| 13 | Greer, SC | $67,877 |
| 14 | Springfield, MO | $66,337 |
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Updated January 8, 2025