Best cities for an observer

The best cities for observers are Detroit, MI, Boston, MA, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for observers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for observers in the U.S.

Whether you're starting your career as an observer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for observers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for observers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an observer. While the absolute best city for observers is Detroit, MI, there are plenty of other great places to consider.

Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for observers in 2024.

If you're looking for an observer job, here are five companies hiring now:

10 best cities for observers in 2025

1. Detroit, MI

Total observer jobs:	8
Average annual salary:	$36,133
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$24,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$52,000
Location quotient:	4.08

2. Boston, MA

Total observer jobs:	6
Average annual salary:	$54,710
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$35,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$83,000
Location quotient:	0.90

3. San Francisco, CA

Total observer jobs:	3
Average annual salary:	$47,537
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$29,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$77,000
Location quotient:	0.32

4. Fresno, CA

Total observer jobs:	1
Average annual salary:	$46,613
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$28,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$75,000
Location quotient:	1.92

5. Reno, NV

Total observer jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$39,737
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$24,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$64,000
Location quotient:	0.00

6. Philadelphia, PA

Total observer jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$41,400
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$26,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$63,000
Location quotient:	0.00

7. El Paso, TX

Total observer jobs:	4
Average annual salary:	$34,959
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$23,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$52,000
Location quotient:	7.56

8. Henderson, NV

Total observer jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$42,574
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$26,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$67,000
Location quotient:	0.00

9. San Jose, CA

Total observer jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$47,533
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$29,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$77,000
Location quotient:	0.00

10. Las Vegas, NV

Total observer jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$42,542
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$26,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$67,000
Location quotient:	0.00

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Best cities for observers

Detroit, MI
Boston, MA
San Francisco, CA
Fresno, CA
Reno, NV
Philadelphia, PA
El Paso, TX
Henderson, NV
San Jose, CA
Las Vegas, NV

(8 observer jobs)
(6 observer jobs)
(3 observer jobs)
(1 observer jobs)
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(4 observer jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for an observer

Rank	City	Average salary	Lowest 10% Earn	Population	Job count
1	Detroit, MI	$36,133	$24,000	672,795	8
2	Boston, MA	$54,710	$35,000	673,184	6
3	San Francisco, CA	$47,537	$29,000	870,887	3
4	Fresno, CA	$46,613	$28,000	522,053	1
5	Reno, NV	$39,737	$24,000	245,255	-
6	Philadelphia, PA	$41,400	$26,000	1,567,872	-
7	El Paso, TX	$34,959	$23,000	683,080	4
8	Henderson, NV	$42,574	$26,000	292,969	-
9	San Jose, CA	$47,533	$29,000	1,025,350	-
10	Las Vegas, NV	$42,542	$26,000	632,912	-
11	Fremont, CA	$47,431	$29,000	233,136	-
12	North Las Vegas, NV	$42,377	$26,000	238,702	-
13	Pittsburgh, PA	$38,043	$25,000	303,625	-
14	Raleigh, NC	$36,472	$24,000	458,880	4
15	Fort Wayne, IN	$38,322	$26,000	264,488	-
16	Indianapolis, IN	$37,249	$25,000	855,164	-
17	Bakersfield, CA	$46,823	$29,000	376,380	-
18	Milwaukee, WI	$36,843	$25,000	595,047	-
19	Oakland, CA	$47,405	$28,000	420,005	-
20	Los Angeles, CA	$46,273	$29,000	3,976,322	-
21	Long Beach, CA	$46,063	$29,000	470,130	-
22	Anaheim, CA	$45,965	$29,000	351,043	-
23	Madison, WI	$36,603	$25,000	252,551	-
24	Santa Ana, CA	$45,908	$29,000	334,217	-
25	San Antonio, TX	$34,426	$22,000	1,492,510	4
26	Irvine, CA	$45,836	$29,000	266,122	-
27	Saint Paul, MN	$39,188	$27,000	302,398	-
28	Minneapolis, MN	$39,180	$27,000	413,651	-
29	Riverside, CA	$45,753	$29,000	324,722	-
30	Wichita, KS	$35,937	$24,000	389,902	-
31	Phoenix, AZ	$35,563	$23,000	1,615,017	2
32	Stockton, CA	$46,514	$28,000	307,072	-
33	Durham, NC	$36,485	$24,000	263,016	-
34	Nashville, TN	$32,223	$22,000	660,388	-
35	Greensboro, NC	$36,234	$24,000	287,027	-
36	Lubbock, TX	$33,369	$22,000	252,506	1
37	San Diego, CA	$45,260	$29,000	1,406,630	-
38	Winston-Salem, NC	$36,115	$24,000	242,203	-
39	Chula Vista, CA	$45,177	$29,000	267,172	-
40	Glendale, AZ	$35,592	$23,000	245,895	-
41	Charlotte, NC	$35,662	$24,000	842,051	-
42	Scottsdale, AZ	$35,491	$23,000	246,645	-
43	Anchorage, AK	$37,854	$21,000	298,192	-
44	Chandler, AZ	$35,490	$23,000	247,477	-
45	New Orleans, LA	$34,422	$23,000	391,495	-
46	Albuquerque, NM	$33,720	$22,000	559,277	1
47	Cleveland, OH	$32,148	$21,000	385,809	1
48	Sacramento, CA	$45,393	$27,000	495,234	-
49	Gilbert, AZ	$35,464	$23,000	237,133	-
50	Mesa, AZ	$35,455	$23,000	484,587	-

Highest paying cities for observers

Rank	City	Avg. observer salary
1	Fall River, MA	$55,405
2	San Francisco, CA	$47,537
3	Stamford, CT	$46,652
4	Richmond, IN	$37,504
5	Neptune, NJ	$37,017
6	Yuma, AZ	$36,254
7	Detroit, MI	$36,133
8	New York, NY	$36,079
9	El Paso, TX	$34,959
10	Montgomery, AL	$34,813
11	Rock Hill, SC	$33,586
12	Springfield, IL	$32,237
13	Little Rock, AR	$31,733
14	Saint Louis, MO	$30,093
15	Cincinnati, OH	$29,844