Best cities for a mechanical research engineer
The best cities for mechanical research engineers are San Francisco, CA, Reno, NV, and Oakland, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for mechanical research engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for mechanical research engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a mechanical research engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for mechanical research engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for mechanical research engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a mechanical research engineer. While the absolute best city for mechanical research engineers is San Francisco, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for mechanical research engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a mechanical research engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for mechanical research engineers in 2026
1. San Francisco, CA
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $126,167 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $183,000 Location quotient: 13.70 2. Reno, NV
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $100,256 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $145,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Oakland, CA
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $125,811 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $182,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. San Jose, CA
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $125,215 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 6.45 5. Fremont, CA
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $125,464 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $182,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. San Antonio, TX
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $93,467 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 62.22 7. Glendale, AZ
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $96,192 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Phoenix, AZ
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $96,124 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Stockton, CA
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $124,044 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Scottsdale, AZ
Total mechanical research engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $95,975 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 0.00
Best cities for mechanical research engineers
- San Francisco, CA
- Reno, NV
- Oakland, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Fremont, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- Glendale, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- Stockton, CA
- Scottsdale, AZ
- (6 mechanical research engineer jobs)
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- (2 mechanical research engineer jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a mechanical research engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $126,167 | $86,000 | 870,887 | 6 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $100,256 | $68,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | $125,811 | $86,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $125,215 | $86,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 5 | Fremont, CA | $125,464 | $86,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 6 | San Antonio, TX | $93,467 | $67,000 | 1,492,510 | 8 |
| 7 | Glendale, AZ | $96,192 | $68,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $96,124 | $68,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 9 | Stockton, CA | $124,044 | $85,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 10 | Scottsdale, AZ | $95,975 | $68,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 11 | Sacramento, CA | $123,502 | $84,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 12 | Las Vegas, NV | $94,014 | $65,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 13 | Lubbock, TX | $93,712 | $68,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 14 | Fresno, CA | $120,983 | $83,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 15 | Chandler, AZ | $95,780 | $68,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 16 | North Las Vegas, NV | $93,829 | $65,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 17 | El Paso, TX | $96,728 | $69,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 18 | Mesa, AZ | $95,721 | $68,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 19 | Gilbert, AZ | $95,702 | $68,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 20 | Fort Wayne, IN | $88,750 | $67,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 21 | Austin, TX | $93,143 | $67,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 22 | Henderson, NV | $93,131 | $65,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 23 | Tucson, AZ | $94,655 | $68,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 24 | Houston, TX | $92,174 | $66,000 | 2,303,482 | 4 |
| 25 | Bakersfield, CA | $114,693 | $79,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 26 | Laredo, TX | $92,730 | $66,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 27 | Fort Worth, TX | $91,961 | $67,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 28 | Arlington, TX | $91,874 | $67,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 29 | Irving, TX | $91,643 | $67,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 30 | Corpus Christi, TX | $92,119 | $66,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 31 | Dallas, TX | $91,641 | $67,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 32 | Garland, TX | $91,384 | $67,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 33 | Islip, NY | $106,491 | $79,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 34 | Plano, TX | $91,283 | $67,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 35 | Hempstead, NY | $106,396 | $79,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 36 | Oyster Bay, NY | $106,329 | $79,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 37 | Brookhaven, NY | $106,477 | $80,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 38 | New York, NY | $106,256 | $79,000 | 8,537,673 | - |
| 39 | Indianapolis, IN | $86,325 | $65,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 40 | Columbus, OH | $80,190 | $60,000 | 860,090 | 4 |
| 41 | Buffalo, NY | $103,091 | $77,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 42 | Long Beach, CA | $107,555 | $75,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 43 | Detroit, MI | $84,515 | $63,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 44 | Cleveland, OH | $82,346 | $61,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 45 | Los Angeles, CA | $108,581 | $76,000 | 3,976,322 | 2 |
| 46 | Anaheim, CA | $107,390 | $75,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 47 | Boston, MA | $97,472 | $74,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 48 | Toledo, OH | $80,916 | $60,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 49 | Cincinnati, OH | $77,616 | $58,000 | 298,800 | 3 |
| 50 | Santa Ana, CA | $107,101 | $75,000 | 334,217 | - |
Highest paying cities for mechanical research engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. mechanical research engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $126,167 |
| 2 | Ithaca, NY | $104,145 |
| 3 | Needham, MA | $97,651 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $93,467 |
| 5 | Orland Park, IL | $89,162 |
| 6 | Randolph, NJ | $88,988 |
| 7 | Ann Arbor, MI | $84,024 |
| 8 | Arlington, VA | $81,911 |
| 9 | Pensacola, FL | $81,229 |
| 10 | Bethlehem, PA | $81,144 |
| 11 | Columbus, OH | $80,190 |
| 12 | Boulder, CO | $76,877 |
| 13 | Minneapolis, MN | $73,185 |
| 14 | Madison, WI | $72,032 |
| 15 | Atlanta, GA | $71,668 |
| 16 | Fargo, ND | $70,895 |
| 17 | Wichita, KS | $67,406 |
| 18 | Horn Lake, MS | $61,500 |
Mechanical research engineer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025