Best cities for a performer
The best cities for performers are Philadelphia, PA, Las Vegas, NV, and Pittsburgh, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for performers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for performers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a performer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for performers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for performers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a performer. While the absolute best city for performers is Philadelphia, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for performers in 2024.
If you're looking for a performer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for performers in 2026
1. Philadelphia, PA
Total performer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $61,417 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 0.94 2. Las Vegas, NV
Total performer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $59,178 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 3.88 3. Pittsburgh, PA
Total performer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $56,306 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Location quotient: 2.27 4. Boston, MA
Total performer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $67,253 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $147,000 Location quotient: 1.28 5. San Jose, CA
Total performer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $64,977 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $147,000 Location quotient: 0.64 6. Chula Vista, CA
Total performer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $61,585 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $132,000 Location quotient: 15.85 7. Fort Wayne, IN
Total performer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,212 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. San Francisco, CA
Total performer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $65,042 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $148,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Fremont, CA
Total performer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,850 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $147,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Reno, NV
Total performer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,514 Lowest 10 percent warn: $24,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $121,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for performers
- Philadelphia, PA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Boston, MA
- San Jose, CA
- Chula Vista, CA
- Fort Wayne, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Reno, NV
- (2 performer jobs)
- (4 performer jobs)
- (3 performer jobs)
- (4 performer jobs)
- (2 performer jobs)
- (1 performer jobs)
- (0 performer jobs)
- (0 performer jobs)
- (0 performer jobs)
- (0 performer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a performer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $61,417 | $28,000 | 1,567,872 | 2 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $59,178 | $26,000 | 632,912 | 4 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $56,306 | $27,000 | 303,625 | 3 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $67,253 | $30,000 | 673,184 | 4 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $64,977 | $28,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 6 | Chula Vista, CA | $61,585 | $28,000 | 267,172 | 1 |
| 7 | Fort Wayne, IN | $50,212 | $25,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $65,042 | $28,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 9 | Fremont, CA | $64,850 | $28,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 10 | Reno, NV | $54,514 | $24,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 11 | Anchorage, AK | $70,368 | $33,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 12 | Oakland, CA | $64,832 | $28,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 13 | Bakersfield, CA | $63,704 | $28,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 14 | San Diego, CA | $61,686 | $28,000 | 1,406,630 | 11 |
| 15 | Henderson, NV | $59,235 | $26,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 16 | Fresno, CA | $63,535 | $28,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 17 | Irvine, CA | $62,498 | $28,000 | 266,122 | 4 |
| 18 | North Las Vegas, NV | $58,894 | $26,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 19 | Los Angeles, CA | $63,086 | $28,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 20 | Jersey City, NJ | $60,589 | $27,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 21 | Long Beach, CA | $62,831 | $28,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 22 | Newark, NJ | $60,557 | $27,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 23 | Milwaukee, WI | $49,472 | $25,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 24 | Anaheim, CA | $62,667 | $28,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 25 | Stockton, CA | $63,345 | $27,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 26 | Glendale, AZ | $51,985 | $24,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 27 | Santa Ana, CA | $62,598 | $28,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 28 | Phoenix, AZ | $51,932 | $24,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 29 | Chandler, AZ | $51,900 | $24,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 30 | Cleveland, OH | $47,329 | $23,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 31 | Tucson, AZ | $51,895 | $24,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 32 | Washington, DC | $65,454 | $30,000 | 681,170 | 3 |
| 33 | Riverside, CA | $62,311 | $28,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 34 | Gilbert, AZ | $51,862 | $24,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 35 | Raleigh, NC | $49,075 | $23,000 | 458,880 | 2 |
| 36 | Mesa, AZ | $51,826 | $24,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 37 | Scottsdale, AZ | $51,799 | $24,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 38 | Madison, WI | $47,966 | $25,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 39 | Brookhaven, NY | $57,321 | $25,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 40 | New York, NY | $57,086 | $25,000 | 8,537,673 | 11 |
| 41 | Islip, NY | $57,282 | $25,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 42 | Detroit, MI | $46,625 | $23,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 43 | Virginia Beach, VA | $55,087 | $25,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 44 | Oyster Bay, NY | $57,195 | $25,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 45 | Durham, NC | $49,099 | $23,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 46 | Hempstead, NY | $57,176 | $25,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 47 | San Antonio, TX | $42,364 | $20,000 | 1,492,510 | 9 |
| 48 | Sacramento, CA | $61,469 | $27,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 49 | Norfolk, VA | $54,838 | $25,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 50 | Indianapolis, IN | $47,034 | $23,000 | 855,164 | - |
Highest paying cities for performers
| Rank | City | Avg. performer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agawam Town, MA | $68,936 |
| 2 | Newark, DE | $68,441 |
| 3 | Mountain View, CA | $65,140 |
| 4 | Allentown, PA | $61,536 |
| 5 | Jackson, NJ | $60,334 |
| 6 | Alexandria, VA | $57,867 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $57,086 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $50,733 |
| 9 | Raleigh, NC | $49,075 |
| 10 | Naperville, IL | $46,633 |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $46,625 |
| 12 | Shakopee, MN | $45,740 |
| 13 | Carlsbad, NM | $42,745 |
| 14 | San Antonio, TX | $42,364 |
| 15 | Mason, OH | $41,332 |
| 16 | Kansas City, MO | $39,452 |
| 17 | Baton Rouge, LA | $39,322 |
| 18 | Memphis, TN | $38,694 |
| 19 | Tampa, FL | $36,556 |
| 20 | Savannah, GA | $35,095 |
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Updated January 8, 2025