Best cities for a director of economic development
The best cities for directors of economic development are Las Vegas, NV, Boston, MA, and Raleigh, NC, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for directors of economic development vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for directors of economic development in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a director of economic development or considering a move, this list of the best cities for directors of economic development to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for directors of economic development. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a director of economic development. While the absolute best city for directors of economic development is Las Vegas, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for directors of economic development in 2024.
If you're looking for a director of economic development job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for directors of economic development in 2025
1. Las Vegas, NV
Total director of economic development jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $121,534 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $208,000 Location quotient: 1.49 2. Boston, MA
Total director of economic development jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $140,797 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $227,000 Location quotient: 1.72 3. Raleigh, NC
Total director of economic development jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $115,358 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $190,000 Location quotient: 2.70 4. Durham, NC
Total director of economic development jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $115,389 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $190,000 Location quotient: 2.16 5. Detroit, MI
Total director of economic development jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $126,325 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $207,000 Location quotient: 0.83 6. Madison, WI
Total director of economic development jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $107,806 Lowest 10 percent warn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $178,000 Location quotient: 5.81 7. North Las Vegas, NV
Total director of economic development jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $121,398 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $208,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Philadelphia, PA
Total director of economic development jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $115,022 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $186,000 Location quotient: 0.73 9. Henderson, NV
Total director of economic development jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $121,109 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $207,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Albuquerque, NM
Total director of economic development jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $120,392 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $206,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for directors of economic development
- Las Vegas, NV
- Boston, MA
- Raleigh, NC
- Durham, NC
- Detroit, MI
- Madison, WI
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Philadelphia, PA
- Henderson, NV
- Albuquerque, NM
- (2 director of economic development jobs)
- (7 director of economic development jobs)
- (4 director of economic development jobs)
- (2 director of economic development jobs)
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- (6 director of economic development jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a director of economic development
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | $121,534 | $70,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $140,797 | $87,000 | 673,184 | 7 |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | $115,358 | $69,000 | 458,880 | 4 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $115,389 | $69,000 | 263,016 | 2 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $126,325 | $76,000 | 672,795 | 1 |
| 6 | Madison, WI | $107,806 | $65,000 | 252,551 | 6 |
| 7 | North Las Vegas, NV | $121,398 | $70,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $115,022 | $70,000 | 1,567,872 | 2 |
| 9 | Henderson, NV | $121,109 | $70,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 10 | Albuquerque, NM | $120,392 | $70,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 11 | Jersey City, NJ | $138,191 | $85,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 12 | Reno, NV | $125,121 | $72,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $107,803 | $64,000 | 855,164 | 3 |
| 14 | New York, NY | $138,265 | $85,000 | 8,537,673 | 13 |
| 15 | Newark, NJ | $138,116 | $85,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 16 | Islip, NY | $138,944 | $85,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 17 | Pittsburgh, PA | $111,703 | $68,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 18 | Oyster Bay, NY | $138,735 | $85,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 19 | Hempstead, NY | $138,529 | $85,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 20 | Brookhaven, NY | $139,222 | $86,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 21 | Atlanta, GA | $118,373 | $70,000 | 472,522 | 3 |
| 22 | Corpus Christi, TX | $101,591 | $57,000 | 325,733 | 2 |
| 23 | Wichita, KS | $113,953 | $67,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 24 | Greensboro, NC | $114,720 | $69,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 25 | Washington, DC | $134,037 | $82,000 | 681,170 | 12 |
| 26 | Buffalo, NY | $135,847 | $83,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 27 | Winston-Salem, NC | $114,330 | $68,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 28 | Fort Wayne, IN | $109,805 | $66,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 29 | Milwaukee, WI | $108,879 | $65,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 30 | El Paso, TX | $111,716 | $64,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 31 | Charlotte, NC | $112,521 | $67,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 32 | Lubbock, TX | $111,126 | $64,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 33 | San Antonio, TX | $106,565 | $60,000 | 1,492,510 | 2 |
| 34 | Fort Worth, TX | $109,641 | $63,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 35 | Arlington, TX | $109,552 | $63,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 36 | Nashville, TN | $100,276 | $59,000 | 660,388 | 1 |
| 37 | Irving, TX | $109,459 | $63,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 38 | Dallas, TX | $109,411 | $63,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 39 | Garland, TX | $109,292 | $63,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 40 | Plano, TX | $109,276 | $63,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 41 | Austin, TX | $108,117 | $61,000 | 947,890 | 3 |
| 42 | Lincoln, NE | $97,897 | $58,000 | 280,364 | 1 |
| 43 | Saint Paul, MN | $97,682 | $59,000 | 302,398 | 4 |
| 44 | San Francisco, CA | $120,448 | $70,000 | 870,887 | 6 |
| 45 | Houston, TX | $106,808 | $60,000 | 2,303,482 | 3 |
| 46 | Chicago, IL | $106,786 | $64,000 | 2,704,958 | 5 |
| 47 | Seattle, WA | $118,845 | $71,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 48 | Cleveland, OH | $97,576 | $59,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 49 | Oklahoma City, OK | $93,589 | $54,000 | 638,367 | 3 |
| 50 | Lexington, KY | $98,754 | $59,000 | 318,449 | - |
Highest paying cities for directors of economic development
| Rank | City | Avg. director of economic development salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $140,797 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $138,814 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $138,265 |
| 4 | Nutley, NJ | $138,195 |
| 5 | Dover, DE | $135,619 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $134,037 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $121,534 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $120,448 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $118,845 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $118,373 |
| 11 | Providence, RI | $115,604 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $115,358 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $115,022 |
| 14 | Arlington, VA | $110,733 |
| 15 | Austin, TX | $108,117 |
| 16 | Madison, WI | $107,806 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $106,786 |
| 18 | Annapolis, MD | $104,253 |
| 19 | Denver, CO | $100,213 |
| 20 | Frankfort, KY | $98,557 |
Director of economic development best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025