Best cities for a lead operator
The best cities for lead operators are Newark, NJ, Las Vegas, NV, and Henderson, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for lead operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for lead operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a lead operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for lead operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for lead operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a lead operator. While the absolute best city for lead operators is Newark, NJ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for lead operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a lead operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for lead operators in 2026
1. Newark, NJ
Total lead operator jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $115,109 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $190,000 Location quotient: 1.95 2. Las Vegas, NV
Total lead operator jobs: 29 Average annual salary: $98,903 Lowest 10 percent warn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 1.74 3. Henderson, NV
Total lead operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $98,120 Lowest 10 percent warn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $176,000 Location quotient: 2.04 4. San Francisco, CA
Total lead operator jobs: 94 Average annual salary: $123,759 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $209,000 Location quotient: 1.33 5. Sacramento, CA
Total lead operator jobs: 18 Average annual salary: $122,651 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $209,000 Location quotient: 1.22 6. Mesa, AZ
Total lead operator jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $92,166 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $168,000 Location quotient: 1.80 7. Stockton, CA
Total lead operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $121,848 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $207,000 Location quotient: 1.20 8. Bakersfield, CA
Total lead operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $111,912 Lowest 10 percent warn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $192,000 Location quotient: 1.25 9. Fresno, CA
Total lead operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $117,528 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location quotient: 1.01 10. Phoenix, AZ
Total lead operator jobs: 43 Average annual salary: $92,659 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $169,000 Location quotient: 0.98
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Best cities for lead operators
- Newark, NJ
- Las Vegas, NV
- Henderson, NV
- San Francisco, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Mesa, AZ
- Stockton, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- (16 lead operator jobs)
- (29 lead operator jobs)
- (4 lead operator jobs)
- (94 lead operator jobs)
- (18 lead operator jobs)
- (6 lead operator jobs)
- (3 lead operator jobs)
- (4 lead operator jobs)
- (4 lead operator jobs)
- (43 lead operator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a lead operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark, NJ | $115,109 | $69,000 | 281,764 | 16 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $98,903 | $54,000 | 632,912 | 29 |
| 3 | Henderson, NV | $98,120 | $54,000 | 292,969 | 4 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $123,759 | $73,000 | 870,887 | 94 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $122,651 | $71,000 | 495,234 | 18 |
| 6 | Mesa, AZ | $92,166 | $50,000 | 484,587 | 6 |
| 7 | Stockton, CA | $121,848 | $71,000 | 307,072 | 3 |
| 8 | Bakersfield, CA | $111,912 | $65,000 | 376,380 | 4 |
| 9 | Fresno, CA | $117,528 | $68,000 | 522,053 | 4 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $92,659 | $50,000 | 1,615,017 | 43 |
| 11 | Chandler, AZ | $92,234 | $50,000 | 247,477 | 7 |
| 12 | Reno, NV | $110,913 | $63,000 | 245,255 | 4 |
| 13 | Anaheim, CA | $105,448 | $60,000 | 351,043 | 6 |
| 14 | Boston, MA | $107,264 | $67,000 | 673,184 | 47 |
| 15 | Garland, TX | $86,760 | $45,000 | 234,943 | 2 |
| 16 | Oakland, CA | $123,354 | $72,000 | 420,005 | 5 |
| 17 | San Jose, CA | $122,070 | $72,000 | 1,025,350 | 38 |
| 18 | Fort Worth, TX | $87,326 | $46,000 | 854,113 | 12 |
| 19 | Oklahoma City, OK | $81,092 | $42,000 | 638,367 | 24 |
| 20 | Chula Vista, CA | $102,576 | $58,000 | 267,172 | 2 |
| 21 | Nashville, TN | $73,251 | $38,000 | 660,388 | 31 |
| 22 | Milwaukee, WI | $78,811 | $42,000 | 595,047 | 20 |
| 23 | Scottsdale, AZ | $92,482 | $50,000 | 246,645 | 5 |
| 24 | Fremont, CA | $122,567 | $72,000 | 233,136 | 8 |
| 25 | Austin, TX | $88,564 | $47,000 | 947,890 | 35 |
| 26 | Riverside, CA | $104,908 | $60,000 | 324,722 | 4 |
| 27 | Jersey City, NJ | $115,239 | $69,000 | 264,152 | 7 |
| 28 | Anchorage, AK | $111,775 | $71,000 | 298,192 | 1 |
| 29 | Houston, TX | $88,011 | $47,000 | 2,303,482 | 56 |
| 30 | Glendale, AZ | $92,741 | $50,000 | 245,895 | 1 |
| 31 | Los Angeles, CA | $106,637 | $61,000 | 3,976,322 | 45 |
| 32 | Corpus Christi, TX | $87,735 | $47,000 | 325,733 | 1 |
| 33 | Philadelphia, PA | $86,352 | $51,000 | 1,567,872 | 19 |
| 34 | Aurora, CO | $74,802 | $38,000 | 361,710 | 31 |
| 35 | Arlington, TX | $87,259 | $46,000 | 392,772 | 2 |
| 36 | Memphis, TN | $73,505 | $38,000 | 652,717 | 12 |
| 37 | New York, NY | $96,996 | $58,000 | 8,537,673 | 189 |
| 38 | Washington, DC | $99,115 | $56,000 | 681,170 | 43 |
| 39 | Fort Wayne, IN | $69,935 | $37,000 | 264,488 | 5 |
| 40 | San Antonio, TX | $88,718 | $47,000 | 1,492,510 | 9 |
| 41 | North Las Vegas, NV | $98,611 | $54,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 42 | Raleigh, NC | $76,504 | $42,000 | 458,880 | 15 |
| 43 | Greensboro, NC | $75,353 | $41,000 | 287,027 | 5 |
| 44 | Saint Louis, MO | $73,362 | $38,000 | 311,404 | 22 |
| 45 | Minneapolis, MN | $74,274 | $39,000 | 413,651 | 33 |
| 46 | El Paso, TX | $91,407 | $49,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 47 | Dallas, TX | $87,043 | $46,000 | 1,317,929 | 18 |
| 48 | Irving, TX | $87,030 | $46,000 | 238,289 | 12 |
| 49 | Atlanta, GA | $74,791 | $40,000 | 472,522 | 62 |
| 50 | San Diego, CA | $102,862 | $58,000 | 1,406,630 | 29 |
Highest paying cities for lead operators
| Rank | City | Avg. lead operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $123,759 |
| 2 | Jersey City, NJ | $115,239 |
| 3 | Hartford, CT | $108,287 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $107,264 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $99,115 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $98,903 |
| 7 | Albany, NY | $97,877 |
| 8 | Portland, ME | $94,080 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $92,659 |
| 10 | Seattle, WA | $88,894 |
| 11 | Austin, TX | $88,564 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $86,352 |
| 13 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $81,174 |
| 14 | Arlington, VA | $79,011 |
| 15 | Baltimore, MD | $76,745 |
| 16 | Raleigh, NC | $76,504 |
| 17 | Miami, FL | $75,188 |
| 18 | Aurora, CO | $74,802 |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $74,791 |
| 20 | Minneapolis, MN | $74,274 |
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Updated January 8, 2025