Best cities for a postdoctoral research scientist
The best cities for postdoctoral research scientists are Los Angeles, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for postdoctoral research scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for postdoctoral research scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a postdoctoral research scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for postdoctoral research scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for postdoctoral research scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a postdoctoral research scientist. While the absolute best city for postdoctoral research scientists is Los Angeles, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for postdoctoral research scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a postdoctoral research scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for postdoctoral research scientists in 2025
1. Los Angeles, CA
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 40 Average annual salary: $72,591 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $102,000 Location quotient: 9.03 2. Pittsburgh, PA
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $61,456 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $88,000 Location quotient: 5.12 3. San Francisco, CA
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $73,745 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 1.16 4. Indianapolis, IN
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $62,845 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location quotient: 4.91 5. San Jose, CA
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,651 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. San Diego, CA
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $72,026 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $101,000 Location quotient: 6.06 7. Oakland, CA
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,630 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Fremont, CA
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,598 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Stockton, CA
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,025 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Sacramento, CA
Total postdoctoral research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $72,796 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for postdoctoral research scientists
- Los Angeles, CA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- San Francisco, CA
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Jose, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Stockton, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- (40 postdoctoral research scientist jobs)
- (8 postdoctoral research scientist jobs)
- (6 postdoctoral research scientist jobs)
- (10 postdoctoral research scientist jobs)
- (0 postdoctoral research scientist jobs)
- (19 postdoctoral research scientist jobs)
- (0 postdoctoral research scientist jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a postdoctoral research scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $72,591 | $51,000 | 3,976,322 | 40 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh, PA | $61,456 | $42,000 | 303,625 | 8 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $73,745 | $51,000 | 870,887 | 6 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $62,845 | $44,000 | 855,164 | 10 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $73,651 | $51,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $72,026 | $51,000 | 1,406,630 | 19 |
| 7 | Oakland, CA | $73,630 | $51,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 8 | Fremont, CA | $73,598 | $51,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 9 | Stockton, CA | $73,025 | $51,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 10 | Sacramento, CA | $72,796 | $51,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 11 | Fresno, CA | $72,794 | $51,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 12 | Bakersfield, CA | $72,780 | $51,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 13 | Memphis, TN | $71,998 | $50,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 14 | Fort Wayne, IN | $63,193 | $44,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 15 | Irvine, CA | $72,297 | $51,000 | 266,122 | 2 |
| 16 | Nashville, TN | $71,525 | $50,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 17 | Long Beach, CA | $72,502 | $51,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 18 | Philadelphia, PA | $62,854 | $43,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 19 | Glendale, AZ | $60,245 | $42,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 20 | Phoenix, AZ | $60,204 | $42,000 | 1,615,017 | 2 |
| 21 | Tucson, AZ | $59,704 | $42,000 | 530,706 | 2 |
| 22 | Anaheim, CA | $72,364 | $51,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 23 | Santa Ana, CA | $72,347 | $51,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 24 | Scottsdale, AZ | $60,107 | $42,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 25 | Chandler, AZ | $60,107 | $42,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 26 | Riverside, CA | $72,078 | $51,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 27 | Gilbert, AZ | $60,067 | $42,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 28 | Chula Vista, CA | $72,004 | $51,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 29 | Mesa, AZ | $60,054 | $42,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 30 | Boston, MA | $61,130 | $42,000 | 673,184 | 10 |
| 31 | Orlando, FL | $48,690 | $33,000 | 277,173 | 22 |
| 32 | Jersey City, NJ | $64,300 | $44,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 33 | Newark, NJ | $64,243 | $44,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 34 | Anchorage, AK | $61,456 | $49,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 35 | Cincinnati, OH | $50,256 | $35,000 | 298,800 | 1 |
| 36 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $73,902 | $56,000 | 351,792 | - |
| 37 | Cleveland, OH | $51,111 | $35,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 38 | Toledo, OH | $51,007 | $35,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 39 | Reno, NV | $53,270 | $37,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 40 | Columbus, OH | $50,442 | $35,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 41 | Seattle, WA | $53,723 | $38,000 | 704,352 | 18 |
| 42 | Las Vegas, NV | $52,649 | $37,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 43 | Henderson, NV | $52,608 | $37,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 44 | North Las Vegas, NV | $52,571 | $37,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 45 | Minneapolis, MN | $51,313 | $37,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 46 | Oklahoma City, OK | $47,432 | $33,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 47 | El Paso, TX | $44,720 | $31,000 | 683,080 | 2 |
| 48 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,299 | $37,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 49 | Milwaukee, WI | $50,473 | $35,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 50 | Tulsa, OK | $47,159 | $33,000 | 403,090 | - |
Highest paying cities for postdoctoral research scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. postdoctoral research scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menlo Park, CA | $73,770 |
| 2 | Oak Ridge, TN | $70,955 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $62,845 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $61,456 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $61,130 |
| 6 | Missoula, MT | $57,064 |
| 7 | New Haven, CT | $56,778 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $54,073 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $53,723 |
| 10 | Baltimore, MD | $52,401 |
| 11 | Schaumburg, IL | $51,171 |
| 12 | Troy, NY | $50,979 |
| 13 | Dayton, OH | $50,397 |
| 14 | Tallahassee, FL | $49,127 |
| 15 | Washington, DC | $48,532 |
| 16 | Salt Lake City, UT | $45,054 |
| 17 | Las Cruces, NM | $44,213 |
| 18 | Richmond, VA | $43,944 |
| 19 | San Antonio, TX | $42,839 |
| 20 | Huntington, WV | $40,813 |
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Updated January 8, 2025