Best cities for a lead systems engineer
The best cities for lead systems engineers are San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA, and Las Vegas, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for lead systems engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for lead systems engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a lead systems engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for lead systems engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for lead systems engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a lead systems engineer. While the absolute best city for lead systems engineers is San Francisco, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for lead systems engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a lead systems engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for lead systems engineers in 2026
1. San Francisco, CA
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 77 Average annual salary: $158,925 Lowest 10 percent warn: $115,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $218,000 Location quotient: 3.45 2. San Jose, CA
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 78 Average annual salary: $158,492 Lowest 10 percent warn: $115,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $218,000 Location quotient: 4.93 3. Las Vegas, NV
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 18 Average annual salary: $126,587 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 3.42 4. Riverside, CA
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $145,298 Lowest 10 percent warn: $106,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $197,000 Location quotient: 5.24 5. Sacramento, CA
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $156,674 Lowest 10 percent warn: $113,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $216,000 Location quotient: 2.15 6. Los Angeles, CA
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 46 Average annual salary: $147,874 Lowest 10 percent warn: $108,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location quotient: 2.40 7. Raleigh, NC
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $113,998 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $149,000 Location quotient: 2.23 8. Long Beach, CA
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $146,336 Lowest 10 percent warn: $107,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $199,000 Location quotient: 2.20 9. Oklahoma City, OK
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $111,160 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $146,000 Location quotient: 2.63 10. Seattle, WA
Total lead systems engineer jobs: 24 Average annual salary: $145,523 Lowest 10 percent warn: $106,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $199,000 Location quotient: 1.27
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Best cities for lead systems engineers
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Riverside, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Raleigh, NC
- Long Beach, CA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Seattle, WA
- (77 lead systems engineer jobs)
- (78 lead systems engineer jobs)
- (18 lead systems engineer jobs)
- (7 lead systems engineer jobs)
- (10 lead systems engineer jobs)
- (46 lead systems engineer jobs)
- (13 lead systems engineer jobs)
- (3 lead systems engineer jobs)
- (12 lead systems engineer jobs)
- (24 lead systems engineer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a lead systems engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $158,925 | $115,000 | 870,887 | 77 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $158,492 | $115,000 | 1,025,350 | 78 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $126,587 | $92,000 | 632,912 | 18 |
| 4 | Riverside, CA | $145,298 | $106,000 | 324,722 | 7 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $156,674 | $113,000 | 495,234 | 10 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $147,874 | $108,000 | 3,976,322 | 46 |
| 7 | Raleigh, NC | $113,998 | $86,000 | 458,880 | 13 |
| 8 | Long Beach, CA | $146,336 | $107,000 | 470,130 | 3 |
| 9 | Oklahoma City, OK | $111,160 | $84,000 | 638,367 | 12 |
| 10 | Seattle, WA | $145,523 | $106,000 | 704,352 | 24 |
| 11 | Gilbert, AZ | $112,917 | $83,000 | 237,133 | 3 |
| 12 | Fort Worth, TX | $110,930 | $84,000 | 854,113 | 10 |
| 13 | Oakland, CA | $158,648 | $115,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 14 | Irving, TX | $110,359 | $83,000 | 238,289 | 42 |
| 15 | Chandler, AZ | $113,007 | $83,000 | 247,477 | 6 |
| 16 | Fremont, CA | $158,480 | $115,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 17 | San Diego, CA | $142,542 | $105,000 | 1,406,630 | 20 |
| 18 | Charlotte, NC | $111,869 | $85,000 | 842,051 | 24 |
| 19 | Reno, NV | $130,464 | $94,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 20 | Irvine, CA | $145,153 | $106,000 | 266,122 | 6 |
| 21 | Mesa, AZ | $112,943 | $83,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 22 | Portland, OR | $135,830 | $98,000 | 639,863 | 4 |
| 23 | Greensboro, NC | $112,940 | $86,000 | 287,027 | 2 |
| 24 | Stockton, CA | $157,181 | $113,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 25 | Santa Ana, CA | $145,574 | $107,000 | 334,217 | 1 |
| 26 | Austin, TX | $114,263 | $86,000 | 947,890 | 16 |
| 27 | Phoenix, AZ | $113,414 | $83,000 | 1,615,017 | 22 |
| 28 | Detroit, MI | $107,624 | $82,000 | 672,795 | 8 |
| 29 | Omaha, NE | $102,913 | $78,000 | 446,970 | 31 |
| 30 | North Las Vegas, NV | $126,308 | $91,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 31 | Atlanta, GA | $110,508 | $84,000 | 472,522 | 42 |
| 32 | Fresno, CA | $155,664 | $113,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 33 | Henderson, NV | $125,808 | $91,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 34 | Albuquerque, NM | $105,773 | $79,000 | 559,277 | 7 |
| 35 | Anchorage, AK | $128,258 | $105,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 36 | Durham, NC | $113,827 | $86,000 | 263,016 | 1 |
| 37 | Orlando, FL | $110,410 | $83,000 | 277,173 | 10 |
| 38 | Bakersfield, CA | $153,036 | $111,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 39 | Houston, TX | $114,010 | $85,000 | 2,303,482 | 26 |
| 40 | San Antonio, TX | $114,745 | $86,000 | 1,492,510 | 3 |
| 41 | Dallas, TX | $110,440 | $83,000 | 1,317,929 | 17 |
| 42 | Anaheim, CA | $146,015 | $107,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 43 | Laredo, TX | $115,358 | $86,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 44 | El Paso, TX | $117,615 | $87,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 45 | Cleveland, OH | $108,523 | $82,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 46 | Columbus, OH | $107,042 | $81,000 | 860,090 | 6 |
| 47 | Corpus Christi, TX | $114,804 | $86,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 48 | Plano, TX | $109,658 | $83,000 | 286,057 | 9 |
| 49 | Tulsa, OK | $110,820 | $84,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 50 | Chula Vista, CA | $142,249 | $105,000 | 267,172 | - |
Highest paying cities for lead systems engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. lead systems engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $158,925 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $145,523 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $126,587 |
| 4 | Annapolis, MD | $115,752 |
| 5 | Marlborough, MA | $115,230 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $114,263 |
| 7 | Raleigh, NC | $113,998 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $113,850 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $113,414 |
| 10 | Jersey City, NJ | $112,673 |
| 11 | Tampa, FL | $111,197 |
| 12 | Oklahoma City, OK | $111,160 |
| 13 | McLean, VA | $110,951 |
| 14 | Atlanta, GA | $110,508 |
| 15 | Huntsville, AL | $109,188 |
| 16 | Grand Rapids, MI | $106,268 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $104,373 |
| 18 | Colorado Springs, CO | $103,537 |
| 19 | Omaha, NE | $102,913 |
| 20 | Minneapolis, MN | $102,760 |
Lead systems engineer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025