Best cities for a grant writer
The best cities for grant writers are Oakland, CA, Washington, DC, and Baltimore, MD, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for grant writers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for grant writers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a grant writer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for grant writers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for grant writers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a grant writer. While the absolute best city for grant writers is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for grant writers in 2024.
If you're looking for a grant writer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for grant writers in 2026
1. Oakland, CA
Grant writer jobs in OaklandTotal grant writer jobs: 18 Average annual salary: $68,896 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location quotient: 8.02 2. Washington, DC
Grant writer jobs in WashingtonTotal grant writer jobs: 103 Average annual salary: $74,937 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 7.61 3. Baltimore, MD
Grant writer jobs in BaltimoreTotal grant writer jobs: 49 Average annual salary: $64,836 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 6.79 4. Philadelphia, PA
Grant writer jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal grant writer jobs: 18 Average annual salary: $60,887 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Location quotient: 1.59 5. Pittsburgh, PA
Grant writer jobs in PittsburghTotal grant writer jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $58,590 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $83,000 Location quotient: 1.27 6. Los Angeles, CA
Grant writer jobs in Los AngelesTotal grant writer jobs: 46 Average annual salary: $66,434 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 2.29 7. Boston, MA
Grant writer jobs in BostonTotal grant writer jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $65,388 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 1.01 8. San Francisco, CA
Grant writer jobs in San FranciscoTotal grant writer jobs: 22 Average annual salary: $69,006 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location quotient: 0.94 9. Sacramento, CA
Grant writer jobs in SacramentoTotal grant writer jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $68,075 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 1.02 10. Detroit, MI
Grant writer jobs in DetroitTotal grant writer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $58,173 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $81,000 Location quotient: 0.81
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Best cities for grant writers
- Oakland, CA
- Washington, DC
- Baltimore, MD
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Detroit, MI
Detailed list of the best cities for a grant writer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $68,896 | $48,000 | 420,005 | 18 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $74,937 | $51,000 | 681,170 | 103 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $64,836 | $44,000 | 614,664 | 49 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $60,887 | $42,000 | 1,567,872 | 18 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh, PA | $58,590 | $40,000 | 303,625 | 9 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $66,434 | $46,000 | 3,976,322 | 46 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $65,388 | $46,000 | 673,184 | 17 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $69,006 | $48,000 | 870,887 | 22 |
| 9 | Sacramento, CA | $68,075 | $48,000 | 495,234 | 5 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $58,173 | $41,000 | 672,795 | 4 |
| 11 | Aurora, CO | $55,322 | $40,000 | 361,710 | 27 |
| 12 | New York, NY | $63,202 | $44,000 | 8,537,673 | 85 |
| 13 | Madison, WI | $49,491 | $36,000 | 252,551 | 12 |
| 14 | Scottsdale, AZ | $52,497 | $37,000 | 246,645 | 4 |
| 15 | Irvine, CA | $65,900 | $46,000 | 266,122 | 8 |
| 16 | Norfolk, VA | $56,546 | $38,000 | 245,115 | 6 |
| 17 | San Diego, CA | $64,927 | $45,000 | 1,406,630 | 19 |
| 18 | Santa Ana, CA | $65,996 | $46,000 | 334,217 | 1 |
| 19 | Denver, CO | $55,335 | $40,000 | 693,060 | 47 |
| 20 | Saint Paul, MN | $50,549 | $37,000 | 302,398 | 33 |
| 21 | San Jose, CA | $68,840 | $48,000 | 1,025,350 | 5 |
| 22 | Fremont, CA | $68,839 | $48,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 23 | Stockton, CA | $68,290 | $48,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 24 | Atlanta, GA | $50,934 | $35,000 | 472,522 | 37 |
| 25 | Reno, NV | $50,039 | $35,000 | 245,255 | 3 |
| 26 | Raleigh, NC | $48,490 | $33,000 | 458,880 | 13 |
| 27 | Seattle, WA | $57,330 | $42,000 | 704,352 | 19 |
| 28 | Lincoln, NE | $44,885 | $32,000 | 280,364 | 25 |
| 29 | Saint Louis, MO | $48,588 | $34,000 | 311,404 | 39 |
| 30 | Brookhaven, NY | $63,403 | $44,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 31 | Colorado Springs, CO | $55,194 | $40,000 | 465,101 | 8 |
| 32 | Phoenix, AZ | $52,557 | $37,000 | 1,615,017 | 11 |
| 33 | El Paso, TX | $46,670 | $32,000 | 683,080 | 7 |
| 34 | Islip, NY | $63,390 | $44,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 35 | Durham, NC | $48,545 | $33,000 | 263,016 | 6 |
| 36 | Fresno, CA | $67,938 | $47,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 37 | Hempstead, NY | $63,299 | $44,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 38 | Tucson, AZ | $52,024 | $36,000 | 530,706 | 3 |
| 39 | Bakersfield, CA | $67,399 | $47,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 40 | Oyster Bay, NY | $63,291 | $44,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 41 | Kansas City, MO | $48,768 | $35,000 | 481,420 | 16 |
| 42 | Long Beach, CA | $66,162 | $46,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 43 | Anaheim, CA | $66,082 | $46,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 44 | Milwaukee, WI | $49,875 | $36,000 | 595,047 | 3 |
| 45 | Riverside, CA | $65,900 | $46,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 46 | Cleveland, OH | $48,265 | $33,000 | 385,809 | 1 |
| 47 | Albuquerque, NM | $47,453 | $34,000 | 559,277 | 6 |
| 48 | Anchorage, AK | $49,146 | $43,000 | 298,192 | 5 |
| 49 | Arlington, TX | $44,782 | $31,000 | 392,772 | 3 |
| 50 | Glendale, AZ | $52,583 | $37,000 | 245,895 | - |
Highest paying cities for grant writers
| Rank | City | Avg. grant writer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $74,937 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $69,006 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $65,388 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $64,836 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $63,202 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $60,887 |
| 7 | Arlington, VA | $58,222 |
| 8 | New Haven, CT | $57,513 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $57,330 |
| 10 | Fort Collins, CO | $55,401 |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | $50,934 |
| 12 | Saint Paul, MN | $50,549 |
| 13 | Madison, WI | $49,491 |
| 14 | Kansas City, MO | $48,768 |
| 15 | Raleigh, NC | $48,490 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $47,977 |
| 17 | Manhattan, KS | $46,943 |
| 18 | San Marcos, TX | $45,695 |
| 19 | Omaha, NE | $44,914 |
| 20 | Pocatello, ID | $42,642 |
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Updated January 8, 2025