Best cities for a computer scientist
The best cities for computer scientists are San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Seattle, WA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for computer scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for computer scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a computer scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for computer scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for computer scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a computer scientist. While the absolute best city for computer scientists is San Jose, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for computer scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a computer scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for computer scientists in 2025
1. San Jose, CA
Total computer scientist jobs: 251 Average annual salary: $138,388 Lowest 10 percent warn: $93,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 30.88 2. San Francisco, CA
Total computer scientist jobs: 199 Average annual salary: $139,569 Lowest 10 percent warn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $206,000 Location quotient: 17.35 3. Seattle, WA
Total computer scientist jobs: 119 Average annual salary: $118,932 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 12.28 4. Fremont, CA
Total computer scientist jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $138,737 Lowest 10 percent warn: $93,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 4.33 5. Henderson, NV
Total computer scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $95,851 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $141,000 Location quotient: 6.28 6. Plano, TX
Total computer scientist jobs: 102 Average annual salary: $94,164 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 27.06 7. Dallas, TX
Total computer scientist jobs: 42 Average annual salary: $94,378 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 5.98 8. Los Angeles, CA
Total computer scientist jobs: 34 Average annual salary: $123,017 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 3.46 9. Irvine, CA
Total computer scientist jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $120,746 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $178,000 Location quotient: 3.83 10. Scottsdale, AZ
Total computer scientist jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $92,261 Lowest 10 percent warn: $63,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 8.38
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Best cities for computer scientists
- San Jose, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Fremont, CA
- Henderson, NV
- Plano, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Irvine, CA
- Scottsdale, AZ
- (251 computer scientist jobs)
- (199 computer scientist jobs)
- (119 computer scientist jobs)
- (10 computer scientist jobs)
- (2 computer scientist jobs)
- (102 computer scientist jobs)
- (42 computer scientist jobs)
- (34 computer scientist jobs)
- (12 computer scientist jobs)
- (10 computer scientist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a computer scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $138,388 | $93,000 | 1,025,350 | 251 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $139,569 | $94,000 | 870,887 | 199 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $118,932 | $80,000 | 704,352 | 119 |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $138,737 | $93,000 | 233,136 | 10 |
| 5 | Henderson, NV | $95,851 | $64,000 | 292,969 | 2 |
| 6 | Plano, TX | $94,164 | $67,000 | 286,057 | 102 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $94,378 | $67,000 | 1,317,929 | 42 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $123,017 | $83,000 | 3,976,322 | 34 |
| 9 | Irvine, CA | $120,746 | $81,000 | 266,122 | 12 |
| 10 | Scottsdale, AZ | $92,261 | $63,000 | 246,645 | 10 |
| 11 | Albuquerque, NM | $91,014 | $62,000 | 559,277 | 18 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | $90,071 | $64,000 | 303,625 | 20 |
| 13 | Houston, TX | $94,542 | $68,000 | 2,303,482 | 73 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $95,145 | $68,000 | 947,890 | 36 |
| 15 | Sacramento, CA | $137,942 | $92,000 | 495,234 | 3 |
| 16 | Bakersfield, CA | $129,050 | $86,000 | 376,380 | 1 |
| 17 | Las Vegas, NV | $96,814 | $65,000 | 632,912 | 6 |
| 18 | Tucson, AZ | $91,109 | $63,000 | 530,706 | 9 |
| 19 | Philadelphia, PA | $92,118 | $65,000 | 1,567,872 | 16 |
| 20 | San Antonio, TX | $95,224 | $68,000 | 1,492,510 | 12 |
| 21 | Cincinnati, OH | $89,628 | $64,000 | 298,800 | 5 |
| 22 | Memphis, TN | $95,466 | $69,000 | 652,717 | 2 |
| 23 | Oakland, CA | $139,247 | $93,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 24 | Cleveland, OH | $91,868 | $65,000 | 385,809 | 2 |
| 25 | San Diego, CA | $118,018 | $80,000 | 1,406,630 | 18 |
| 26 | Reno, NV | $105,107 | $70,000 | 245,255 | 1 |
| 27 | Nashville, TN | $95,200 | $69,000 | 660,388 | 2 |
| 28 | Durham, NC | $87,543 | $63,000 | 263,016 | 9 |
| 29 | Stockton, CA | $137,863 | $92,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 30 | Portland, OR | $115,553 | $78,000 | 639,863 | 3 |
| 31 | Fresno, CA | $134,329 | $90,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 32 | Atlanta, GA | $88,166 | $64,000 | 472,522 | 57 |
| 33 | Oklahoma City, OK | $82,224 | $58,000 | 638,367 | 18 |
| 34 | Toledo, OH | $91,296 | $64,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 35 | Columbus, OH | $90,900 | $65,000 | 860,090 | 5 |
| 36 | Raleigh, NC | $87,562 | $64,000 | 458,880 | 12 |
| 37 | Chicago, IL | $91,569 | $64,000 | 2,704,958 | 54 |
| 38 | Long Beach, CA | $121,747 | $82,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 39 | Anaheim, CA | $121,463 | $82,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 40 | Irving, TX | $94,411 | $67,000 | 238,289 | 8 |
| 41 | Phoenix, AZ | $92,314 | $63,000 | 1,615,017 | 19 |
| 42 | Santa Ana, CA | $121,108 | $82,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 43 | Lubbock, TX | $96,463 | $67,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 44 | North Las Vegas, NV | $96,631 | $65,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 45 | Saint Paul, MN | $93,054 | $66,000 | 302,398 | 8 |
| 46 | Riverside, CA | $120,832 | $81,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 47 | El Paso, TX | $97,613 | $68,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 48 | Louisville, KY | $89,206 | $64,000 | 597,337 | 3 |
| 49 | Norfolk, VA | $92,275 | $67,000 | 245,115 | 4 |
| 50 | Laredo, TX | $95,164 | $69,000 | 257,156 | - |
Highest paying cities for computer scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. computer scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $139,569 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $118,932 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $97,193 |
| 4 | Oak Ridge, TN | $95,647 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $95,224 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $93,848 |
| 7 | Arlington, VA | $92,933 |
| 8 | Annapolis, MD | $92,784 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $92,314 |
| 10 | Holyoke, MA | $92,191 |
| 11 | Jersey City, NJ | $92,021 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $91,569 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh, PA | $90,071 |
| 14 | Farmington, CT | $89,894 |
| 15 | Lehi, UT | $89,529 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $88,166 |
| 17 | Tampa, FL | $84,444 |
| 18 | Oklahoma City, OK | $82,224 |
| 19 | Saint Louis, MO | $82,073 |
| 20 | Bellevue, NE | $76,438 |
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Updated January 8, 2025