Best cities for a pharmaceutical scientist
The best cities for pharmaceutical scientists are San Francisco, CA, Sacramento, CA, and Oakland, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for pharmaceutical scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for pharmaceutical scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a pharmaceutical scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for pharmaceutical scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for pharmaceutical scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a pharmaceutical scientist. While the absolute best city for pharmaceutical scientists is San Francisco, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for pharmaceutical scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a pharmaceutical scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for pharmaceutical scientists in 2025
1. San Francisco, CA
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $117,941 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Sacramento, CA
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $117,475 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Oakland, CA
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $117,750 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Fremont, CA
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $117,391 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. San Jose, CA
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $117,167 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Stockton, CA
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $117,065 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Fresno, CA
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $114,930 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $176,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Reno, NV
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $92,172 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $141,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Fort Wayne, IN
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $86,208 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Bakersfield, CA
Total pharmaceutical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $111,191 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $171,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for pharmaceutical scientists
- San Francisco, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Fremont, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Stockton, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Reno, NV
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Bakersfield, CA
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Detailed list of the best cities for a pharmaceutical scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $117,941 | $77,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $117,475 | $76,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | $117,750 | $77,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $117,391 | $76,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $117,167 | $76,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 6 | Stockton, CA | $117,065 | $76,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 7 | Fresno, CA | $114,930 | $74,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 8 | Reno, NV | $92,172 | $60,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 9 | Fort Wayne, IN | $86,208 | $58,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 10 | Bakersfield, CA | $111,191 | $72,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 11 | Las Vegas, NV | $86,976 | $56,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 12 | Indianapolis, IN | $85,041 | $57,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 13 | Saint Paul, MN | $90,115 | $62,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 14 | North Las Vegas, NV | $86,925 | $56,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 15 | Nashville, TN | $78,824 | $51,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 16 | Minneapolis, MN | $90,091 | $62,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 17 | Irvine, CA | $103,898 | $67,000 | 266,122 | 16 |
| 18 | Long Beach, CA | $104,690 | $67,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 19 | Henderson, NV | $86,355 | $55,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 20 | Los Angeles, CA | $105,978 | $68,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 21 | Anaheim, CA | $104,660 | $67,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 22 | Riverside, CA | $104,557 | $67,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 23 | Chicago, IL | $90,628 | $61,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 24 | Santa Ana, CA | $104,244 | $67,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 25 | Toledo, OH | $75,876 | $51,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 26 | Memphis, TN | $77,968 | $50,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 27 | Cleveland, OH | $76,066 | $52,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 28 | San Diego, CA | $100,512 | $65,000 | 1,406,630 | 2 |
| 29 | Columbus, OH | $75,190 | $50,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 30 | Chula Vista, CA | $100,035 | $65,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 31 | Philadelphia, PA | $76,977 | $52,000 | 1,567,872 | 1 |
| 32 | Pittsburgh, PA | $76,400 | $52,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 33 | Cincinnati, OH | $74,324 | $49,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 34 | Baltimore, MD | $92,195 | $62,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 35 | Boston, MA | $86,438 | $59,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 36 | Jersey City, NJ | $85,215 | $58,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 37 | Anchorage, AK | $80,274 | $60,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 38 | Newark, NJ | $85,213 | $58,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 39 | Scottsdale, AZ | $72,998 | $47,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 40 | Detroit, MI | $68,417 | $46,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 41 | Phoenix, AZ | $72,938 | $47,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 42 | Oklahoma City, OK | $67,835 | $43,000 | 638,367 | 2 |
| 43 | Portland, OR | $80,269 | $53,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 44 | Glendale, AZ | $72,935 | $47,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 45 | Milwaukee, WI | $68,980 | $47,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 46 | Madison, WI | $68,804 | $47,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 47 | Durham, NC | $66,325 | $43,000 | 263,016 | 2 |
| 48 | Mesa, AZ | $72,482 | $46,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 49 | Tulsa, OK | $67,269 | $43,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 50 | Chandler, AZ | $72,398 | $46,000 | 247,477 | - |
Highest paying cities for pharmaceutical scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. pharmaceutical scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South San Francisco, CA | $117,802 |
| 2 | Frederick, MD | $92,115 |
| 3 | North Chicago, IL | $90,848 |
| 4 | Waltham, MA | $86,444 |
| 5 | West Lafayette, IN | $85,380 |
| 6 | East Windsor, NJ | $84,990 |
| 7 | Wilmington, DE | $80,928 |
| 8 | Lancaster, PA | $76,829 |
| 9 | Oklahoma City, OK | $67,835 |
| 10 | Miramar, FL | $66,896 |
| 11 | Durham, NC | $66,325 |
| 12 | Lincoln, NE | $59,784 |
| 13 | Morgantown, WV | $59,240 |











