Best cities for a lead software architect
The best cities for lead software architects are Las Vegas, NV, San Jose, CA, and Scottsdale, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for lead software architects vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for lead software architects in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a lead software architect or considering a move, this list of the best cities for lead software architects to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for lead software architects. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a lead software architect. While the absolute best city for lead software architects is Las Vegas, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for lead software architects in 2024.
If you're looking for a lead software architect job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for lead software architects in 2025
1. Las Vegas, NV
Total lead software architect jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $129,414 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location quotient: 21.81 2. San Jose, CA
Total lead software architect jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $155,332 Lowest 10 percent warn: $107,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $224,000 Location quotient: 7.25 3. Scottsdale, AZ
Total lead software architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $119,480 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 16.47 4. San Francisco, CA
Total lead software architect jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $156,025 Lowest 10 percent warn: $107,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $225,000 Location quotient: 5.14 5. Chandler, AZ
Total lead software architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $118,874 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $172,000 Location quotient: 17.26 6. Boston, MA
Total lead software architect jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $131,386 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $175,000 Location quotient: 6.38 7. Reno, NV
Total lead software architect jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $135,408 Lowest 10 percent warn: $93,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $196,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. North Las Vegas, NV
Total lead software architect jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $129,198 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $187,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Henderson, NV
Total lead software architect jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $128,646 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $187,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Phoenix, AZ
Total lead software architect jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $119,475 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 4.58
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Best cities for lead software architects
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Jose, CA
- Scottsdale, AZ
- San Francisco, CA
- Chandler, AZ
- Boston, MA
- Reno, NV
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Henderson, NV
- Phoenix, AZ
- (9 lead software architect jobs)
- (9 lead software architect jobs)
- (3 lead software architect jobs)
- (9 lead software architect jobs)
- (3 lead software architect jobs)
- (8 lead software architect jobs)
- (0 lead software architect jobs)
- (0 lead software architect jobs)
- (0 lead software architect jobs)
- (5 lead software architect jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a lead software architect
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | $129,414 | $89,000 | 632,912 | 9 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $155,332 | $107,000 | 1,025,350 | 9 |
| 3 | Scottsdale, AZ | $119,480 | $82,000 | 246,645 | 3 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $156,025 | $107,000 | 870,887 | 9 |
| 5 | Chandler, AZ | $118,874 | $81,000 | 247,477 | 3 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $131,386 | $98,000 | 673,184 | 8 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $135,408 | $93,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 8 | North Las Vegas, NV | $129,198 | $88,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 9 | Henderson, NV | $128,646 | $88,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $119,475 | $82,000 | 1,615,017 | 5 |
| 11 | Oakland, CA | $155,758 | $107,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 12 | Fremont, CA | $155,463 | $107,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 13 | Irvine, CA | $140,134 | $96,000 | 266,122 | 5 |
| 14 | Stockton, CA | $154,475 | $106,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 15 | Sacramento, CA | $154,333 | $106,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 16 | Fresno, CA | $152,341 | $105,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 17 | Bakersfield, CA | $148,748 | $102,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 18 | Glendale, AZ | $119,494 | $82,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 19 | Seattle, WA | $127,664 | $88,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 20 | Mesa, AZ | $118,931 | $81,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 21 | Austin, TX | $108,900 | $74,000 | 947,890 | 11 |
| 22 | Los Angeles, CA | $143,217 | $98,000 | 3,976,322 | 2 |
| 23 | Gilbert, AZ | $118,814 | $81,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 24 | Long Beach, CA | $141,430 | $97,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 25 | San Diego, CA | $135,887 | $94,000 | 1,406,630 | 5 |
| 26 | Anaheim, CA | $141,258 | $97,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 27 | Fort Worth, TX | $109,362 | $75,000 | 854,113 | 1 |
| 28 | Columbus, OH | $102,238 | $75,000 | 860,090 | 2 |
| 29 | Riverside, CA | $140,844 | $97,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 30 | Santa Ana, CA | $140,668 | $97,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 31 | Tucson, AZ | $116,974 | $80,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 32 | Plano, TX | $108,568 | $74,000 | 286,057 | 3 |
| 33 | El Paso, TX | $113,647 | $78,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 34 | Dallas, TX | $108,990 | $75,000 | 1,317,929 | 3 |
| 35 | Omaha, NE | $101,074 | $73,000 | 446,970 | 3 |
| 36 | Lubbock, TX | $111,490 | $76,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 37 | Albuquerque, NM | $109,395 | $75,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 38 | Cleveland, OH | $104,835 | $77,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 39 | San Antonio, TX | $108,437 | $73,000 | 1,492,510 | 2 |
| 40 | Arlington, TX | $109,231 | $75,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 41 | Toledo, OH | $103,550 | $77,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 42 | Anchorage, AK | $118,728 | $85,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 43 | Irving, TX | $109,049 | $75,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 44 | Chula Vista, CA | $135,407 | $93,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 45 | Garland, TX | $108,696 | $74,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 46 | Detroit, MI | $101,263 | $75,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 47 | Saint Louis, MO | $100,628 | $73,000 | 311,404 | 4 |
| 48 | Houston, TX | $107,166 | $72,000 | 2,303,482 | 2 |
| 49 | Cincinnati, OH | $100,809 | $74,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 50 | Philadelphia, PA | $98,472 | $72,000 | 1,567,872 | 3 |
Highest paying cities for lead software architects
| Rank | City | Avg. lead software architect salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $156,025 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $131,386 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $129,414 |
| 4 | Bellevue, WA | $127,486 |
| 5 | Scottsdale, AZ | $119,479 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $117,594 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $108,900 |
| 8 | Arlington, VA | $105,972 |
| 9 | Littleton, CO | $103,845 |
| 10 | Manchester, CT | $102,098 |
| 11 | Minneapolis, MN | $101,156 |
| 12 | Saint Charles, MO | $100,634 |
| 13 | Alpharetta, GA | $99,958 |
| 14 | Philadelphia, PA | $98,472 |
| 15 | Tampa, FL | $94,531 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $92,963 |
| 17 | Charlotte, NC | $90,071 |
| 18 | Overland Park, KS | $88,695 |











