Best cities for a postdoctoral research associate
The best cities for postdoctoral research associates are Memphis, TN, Tucson, AZ, and Indianapolis, IN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for postdoctoral research associates vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for postdoctoral research associates in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a postdoctoral research associate or considering a move, this list of the best cities for postdoctoral research associates to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for postdoctoral research associates. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a postdoctoral research associate. While the absolute best city for postdoctoral research associates is Memphis, TN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for postdoctoral research associates in 2024.
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10 best cities for postdoctoral research associates in 2025
1. Memphis, TN
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 155 Average annual salary: $67,878 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 186.36 2. Tucson, AZ
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $58,781 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $83,000 Location quotient: 96.35 3. Indianapolis, IN
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 246 Average annual salary: $54,799 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Location quotient: 24.93 4. Nashville, TN
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 30 Average annual salary: $67,455 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 4.57 5. Los Angeles, CA
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 198 Average annual salary: $67,345 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 21.14 6. Mesa, AZ
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $59,180 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $84,000 Location quotient: 5.93 7. Toledo, OH
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 41 Average annual salary: $44,459 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $63,000 Location quotient: 36.79 8. Phoenix, AZ
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $59,356 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $84,000 Location quotient: 1.22 9. Philadelphia, PA
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 59 Average annual salary: $51,404 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 26.01 10. Pittsburgh, PA
Total postdoctoral research associate jobs: 219 Average annual salary: $50,343 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $72,000 Location quotient: 28.92
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Best cities for postdoctoral research associates
- Memphis, TN
- Tucson, AZ
- Indianapolis, IN
- Nashville, TN
- Los Angeles, CA
- Mesa, AZ
- Toledo, OH
- Phoenix, AZ
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- (155 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
- (17 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
- (246 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
- (30 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
- (198 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
- (7 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
- (41 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
- (19 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
- (59 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
- (219 postdoctoral research associate jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a postdoctoral research associate
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis, TN | $67,878 | $47,000 | 652,717 | 155 |
| 2 | Tucson, AZ | $58,781 | $41,000 | 530,706 | 17 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $54,799 | $38,000 | 855,164 | 246 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $67,455 | $47,000 | 660,388 | 30 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $67,345 | $46,000 | 3,976,322 | 198 |
| 6 | Mesa, AZ | $59,180 | $41,000 | 484,587 | 7 |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $44,459 | $31,000 | 278,508 | 41 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $59,356 | $41,000 | 1,615,017 | 19 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $51,404 | $35,000 | 1,567,872 | 59 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh, PA | $50,343 | $34,000 | 303,625 | 219 |
| 11 | Newark, NJ | $58,339 | $39,000 | 281,764 | 62 |
| 12 | Long Beach, CA | $67,213 | $46,000 | 470,130 | 3 |
| 13 | Tulsa, OK | $51,479 | $36,000 | 403,090 | 31 |
| 14 | Lincoln, NE | $45,211 | $32,000 | 280,364 | 194 |
| 15 | Glendale, AZ | $59,403 | $41,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 16 | Reno, NV | $57,763 | $39,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 17 | Scottsdale, AZ | $59,245 | $41,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 18 | Las Vegas, NV | $56,920 | $39,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 19 | Greensboro, NC | $46,083 | $31,000 | 287,027 | 23 |
| 20 | Chandler, AZ | $59,239 | $41,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 21 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $76,410 | $58,000 | 351,792 | - |
| 22 | Gilbert, AZ | $59,194 | $41,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 23 | El Paso, TX | $43,852 | $31,000 | 683,080 | 59 |
| 24 | Omaha, NE | $45,071 | $32,000 | 446,970 | 189 |
| 25 | San Diego, CA | $66,649 | $46,000 | 1,406,630 | 18 |
| 26 | Madison, WI | $50,536 | $35,000 | 252,551 | 24 |
| 27 | Raleigh, NC | $45,992 | $31,000 | 458,880 | 78 |
| 28 | Henderson, NV | $56,879 | $39,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 29 | Winston-Salem, NC | $46,110 | $32,000 | 242,203 | 11 |
| 30 | Stockton, CA | $68,057 | $46,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 31 | North Las Vegas, NV | $56,817 | $39,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 32 | Lubbock, TX | $42,396 | $30,000 | 252,506 | 44 |
| 33 | San Francisco, CA | $68,866 | $47,000 | 870,887 | 2 |
| 34 | Sacramento, CA | $67,862 | $46,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 35 | Minneapolis, MN | $56,784 | $40,000 | 413,651 | 8 |
| 36 | Milwaukee, WI | $50,347 | $35,000 | 595,047 | 16 |
| 37 | Fresno, CA | $67,715 | $46,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 38 | Fort Wayne, IN | $54,596 | $38,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 39 | Oakland, CA | $68,730 | $47,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 40 | Bakersfield, CA | $67,644 | $46,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 41 | San Jose, CA | $68,683 | $47,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 42 | Irvine, CA | $67,001 | $46,000 | 266,122 | 2 |
| 43 | Baltimore, MD | $56,839 | $39,000 | 614,664 | 29 |
| 44 | Fremont, CA | $68,660 | $47,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 45 | Anaheim, CA | $67,088 | $46,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 46 | Santa Ana, CA | $67,057 | $46,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 47 | Seattle, WA | $53,338 | $37,000 | 704,352 | 43 |
| 48 | Riverside, CA | $66,824 | $46,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 49 | Arlington, TX | $41,265 | $29,000 | 392,772 | 56 |
| 50 | Chula Vista, CA | $66,616 | $46,000 | 267,172 | - |
Highest paying cities for postdoctoral research associates
| Rank | City | Avg. postdoctoral research associate salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis, TN | $67,878 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $67,345 |
| 3 | Tempe, AZ | $59,282 |
| 4 | Providence, RI | $57,860 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $56,830 |
| 6 | West Lafayette, IN | $54,891 |
| 7 | Richland, WA | $52,662 |
| 8 | Eugene, OR | $51,879 |
| 9 | Norman, OK | $51,724 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $51,404 |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $50,329 |
| 12 | Troy, NY | $49,100 |
| 13 | Urbana, IL | $48,972 |
| 14 | Tallahassee, FL | $46,261 |
| 15 | Idaho Falls, ID | $46,041 |
| 16 | Chapel Hill, NC | $46,031 |
| 17 | Charlottesville, VA | $45,509 |
| 18 | Lincoln, NE | $45,211 |
| 19 | Salt Lake City, UT | $45,114 |
| 20 | Kansas City, KS | $45,107 |
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Updated January 8, 2025