Best cities for a postdoc
The best cities for postdocs are Memphis, TN, Reno, NV, and Indianapolis, IN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for postdocs vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for postdocs in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a postdoc or considering a move, this list of the best cities for postdocs to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for postdocs. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a postdoc. While the absolute best city for postdocs is Memphis, TN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for postdocs in 2024.
If you're looking for a postdoc job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for postdocs in 2026
1. Memphis, TN
Total postdoc jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $85,314 Lowest 10 percent warn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 2.37 2. Reno, NV
Total postdoc jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $79,610 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $122,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Indianapolis, IN
Total postdoc jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $75,522 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Fort Wayne, IN
Total postdoc jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $75,149 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Nashville, TN
Total postdoc jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $84,274 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Glendale, AZ
Total postdoc jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,910 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $118,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Phoenix, AZ
Total postdoc jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,832 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $118,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Oakland, CA
Total postdoc jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $87,870 Lowest 10 percent warn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $135,000 Location quotient: 3.27 9. Chandler, AZ
Total postdoc jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,755 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Gilbert, AZ
Total postdoc jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,690 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for postdocs
- Memphis, TN
- Reno, NV
- Indianapolis, IN
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Nashville, TN
- Glendale, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- Oakland, CA
- Chandler, AZ
- Gilbert, AZ
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Detailed list of the best cities for a postdoc
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis, TN | $85,314 | $57,000 | 652,717 | 3 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $79,610 | $51,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $75,522 | $51,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 4 | Fort Wayne, IN | $75,149 | $51,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 5 | Nashville, TN | $84,274 | $56,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 6 | Glendale, AZ | $77,910 | $51,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $77,832 | $51,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 8 | Oakland, CA | $87,870 | $57,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 9 | Chandler, AZ | $77,755 | $51,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 10 | Gilbert, AZ | $77,690 | $51,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 11 | Las Vegas, NV | $75,861 | $49,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 12 | Mesa, AZ | $77,639 | $51,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 13 | Scottsdale, AZ | $77,637 | $51,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 14 | Henderson, NV | $75,756 | $49,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 15 | Tucson, AZ | $77,473 | $51,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 16 | Riverside, CA | $82,149 | $54,000 | 324,722 | 239 |
| 17 | North Las Vegas, NV | $75,691 | $49,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 18 | San Francisco, CA | $88,170 | $57,000 | 870,887 | 5 |
| 19 | San Jose, CA | $87,342 | $56,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 20 | Fremont, CA | $87,494 | $56,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 21 | Anchorage, AK | $73,654 | $54,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 22 | Sacramento, CA | $86,643 | $56,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 23 | Stockton, CA | $86,553 | $56,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 24 | Los Angeles, CA | $83,137 | $54,000 | 3,976,322 | 2 |
| 25 | Boston, MA | $76,058 | $53,000 | 673,184 | 3 |
| 26 | Greensboro, NC | $63,172 | $42,000 | 287,027 | 2 |
| 27 | Long Beach, CA | $82,886 | $54,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 28 | Fresno, CA | $84,721 | $55,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 29 | Anaheim, CA | $82,641 | $54,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 30 | San Diego, CA | $81,913 | $54,000 | 1,406,630 | 2 |
| 31 | Santa Ana, CA | $82,586 | $54,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 32 | Irvine, CA | $82,481 | $54,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 33 | Bakersfield, CA | $83,792 | $55,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 34 | Chula Vista, CA | $81,887 | $54,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 35 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $88,048 | $67,000 | 351,792 | - |
| 36 | Toledo, OH | $55,013 | $38,000 | 278,508 | 2 |
| 37 | Winston-Salem, NC | $63,191 | $42,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 38 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,875 | $40,000 | 1,567,872 | 6 |
| 39 | Minneapolis, MN | $67,985 | $48,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 40 | Cleveland, OH | $55,420 | $38,000 | 385,809 | 2 |
| 41 | Saint Paul, MN | $67,984 | $48,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 42 | Portland, OR | $69,699 | $45,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 43 | Charlotte, NC | $63,163 | $42,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 44 | Aurora, CO | $66,504 | $45,000 | 361,710 | 2 |
| 45 | Durham, NC | $63,143 | $42,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 46 | Raleigh, NC | $63,114 | $42,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 47 | El Paso, TX | $60,918 | $39,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 48 | Oklahoma City, OK | $60,833 | $40,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 49 | Newark, NJ | $72,822 | $49,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 50 | Tulsa, OK | $60,338 | $40,000 | 403,090 | - |
Highest paying cities for postdocs
| Rank | City | Avg. postdoc salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $88,170 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $85,314 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $76,058 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $75,522 |
| 5 | Boulder, CO | $66,520 |
| 6 | Morgantown, WV | $58,990 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,875 |
| 8 | Idaho Falls, ID | $58,579 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $57,518 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $57,396 |
| 11 | Albuquerque, NM | $57,067 |
| 12 | Mobile, AL | $55,626 |
| 13 | Cleveland, OH | $55,420 |
| 14 | Ann Arbor, MI | $54,904 |
| 15 | Richmond, VA | $54,714 |
| 16 | Charleston, SC | $46,509 |
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Updated January 8, 2025