Best cities for a medical research scientist
The best cities for medical research scientists are Cleveland, OH, Durham, NC, and Oklahoma City, OK, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for medical research scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for medical research scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a medical research scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for medical research scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for medical research scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a medical research scientist. While the absolute best city for medical research scientists is Cleveland, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for medical research scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a medical research scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for medical research scientists in 2025
1. Cleveland, OH
Total medical research scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $74,372 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 21.57 2. Durham, NC
Total medical research scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $74,739 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 14.04 3. Oklahoma City, OK
Total medical research scientist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $72,538 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $122,000 Location quotient: 22.34 4. San Francisco, CA
Total medical research scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $101,167 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 3.43 5. Las Vegas, NV
Total medical research scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $80,217 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $136,000 Location quotient: 9.69 6. Columbus, OH
Total medical research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,800 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Toledo, OH
Total medical research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,619 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $124,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Jersey City, NJ
Total medical research scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $91,790 Lowest 10 percent warn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $155,000 Location quotient: 10.42 9. Reno, NV
Total medical research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $87,383 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Fort Wayne, IN
Total medical research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $79,923 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for medical research scientists
- Cleveland, OH
- Durham, NC
- Oklahoma City, OK
- San Francisco, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Columbus, OH
- Toledo, OH
- Jersey City, NJ
- Reno, NV
- Fort Wayne, IN
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Detailed list of the best cities for a medical research scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland, OH | $74,372 | $43,000 | 385,809 | 3 |
| 2 | Durham, NC | $74,739 | $43,000 | 263,016 | 2 |
| 3 | Oklahoma City, OK | $72,538 | $43,000 | 638,367 | 4 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $101,167 | $58,000 | 870,887 | 3 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $80,217 | $47,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $73,800 | $43,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $73,619 | $43,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 8 | Jersey City, NJ | $91,790 | $54,000 | 264,152 | 3 |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $87,383 | $50,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 10 | Fort Wayne, IN | $79,923 | $47,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 11 | Nashville, TN | $77,864 | $45,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 12 | Oakland, CA | $100,936 | $58,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $79,324 | $46,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 14 | Sacramento, CA | $100,858 | $58,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 15 | Cincinnati, OH | $73,031 | $43,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 16 | Fremont, CA | $100,401 | $58,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 17 | Memphis, TN | $77,057 | $45,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 18 | Stockton, CA | $100,141 | $58,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 19 | San Jose, CA | $100,037 | $58,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 20 | Raleigh, NC | $74,631 | $43,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 21 | Greensboro, NC | $74,595 | $43,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 22 | Tulsa, OK | $71,737 | $42,000 | 403,090 | 6 |
| 23 | Boston, MA | $88,987 | $52,000 | 673,184 | 3 |
| 24 | Winston-Salem, NC | $74,491 | $43,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 25 | North Las Vegas, NV | $80,112 | $46,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 26 | Charlotte, NC | $73,536 | $43,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 27 | Henderson, NV | $79,820 | $46,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 28 | Newark, NJ | $91,731 | $54,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 29 | Detroit, MI | $75,596 | $44,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 30 | Fresno, CA | $97,211 | $56,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 31 | Glendale, AZ | $72,574 | $43,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 32 | Bakersfield, CA | $94,028 | $55,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 33 | Milwaukee, WI | $69,146 | $41,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 34 | Phoenix, AZ | $72,552 | $43,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 35 | Scottsdale, AZ | $72,521 | $43,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 36 | Los Angeles, CA | $90,999 | $54,000 | 3,976,322 | 2 |
| 37 | Chicago, IL | $79,387 | $47,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 38 | San Diego, CA | $88,174 | $52,000 | 1,406,630 | 4 |
| 39 | Long Beach, CA | $90,371 | $53,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 40 | Philadelphia, PA | $70,608 | $41,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 41 | Anaheim, CA | $90,256 | $53,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 42 | Santa Ana, CA | $90,073 | $53,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 43 | Saint Paul, MN | $72,362 | $43,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 44 | Riverside, CA | $89,992 | $53,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 45 | Minneapolis, MN | $72,256 | $43,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 46 | Irvine, CA | $89,895 | $53,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 47 | Brookhaven, NY | $73,439 | $43,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 48 | Chula Vista, CA | $87,909 | $52,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 49 | Islip, NY | $73,372 | $43,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 50 | Oyster Bay, NY | $73,222 | $43,000 | 293,214 | - |
Highest paying cities for medical research scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. medical research scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $101,167 |
| 2 | Jersey City, NJ | $91,790 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $88,987 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $80,217 |
| 5 | Oak Ridge, TN | $78,732 |
| 6 | Southfield, MI | $75,535 |
| 7 | Durham, NC | $74,739 |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | $74,372 |
| 9 | Bethesda, MD | $72,659 |
| 10 | Oklahoma City, OK | $72,538 |
| 11 | Milwaukee, WI | $69,146 |
| 12 | Seattle, WA | $68,582 |
| 13 | Washington, DC | $66,969 |
| 14 | Orlando, FL | $63,301 |
| 15 | Lawrenceville, GA | $59,579 |
| 16 | Dallas, TX | $58,899 |
| 17 | Omaha, NE | $54,733 |
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Updated January 8, 2025