Best cities for a principal research economist
The best cities for principal research economists are Oakland, CA, Fremont, CA, and Seattle, WA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for principal research economists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for principal research economists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a principal research economist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for principal research economists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for principal research economists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a principal research economist. While the absolute best city for principal research economists is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for principal research economists in 2024.
If you're looking for a principal research economist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for principal research economists in 2025
1. Oakland, CA
Total principal research economist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $133,593 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $220,000 Location quotient: 11.11 2. Fremont, CA
Total principal research economist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $132,717 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $218,000 Location quotient: 5.28 3. Seattle, WA
Total principal research economist jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $131,504 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $220,000 Location quotient: 3.14 4. San Francisco, CA
Total principal research economist jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $134,139 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $221,000 Location quotient: 3.19 5. Portland, OR
Total principal research economist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $129,348 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $218,000 Location quotient: 1.56 6. Pittsburgh, PA
Total principal research economist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $100,902 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $151,000 Location quotient: 4.39 7. Durham, NC
Total principal research economist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $94,967 Lowest 10 percent warn: $63,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $142,000 Location quotient: 4.90 8. Anchorage, AK
Total principal research economist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $168,941 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $271,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Reno, NV
Total principal research economist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $127,784 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $212,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. San Jose, CA
Total principal research economist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $132,244 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $217,000 Location quotient: 1.12
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Best cities for principal research economists
- Oakland, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Seattle, WA
- San Francisco, CA
- Portland, OR
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Durham, NC
- Anchorage, AK
- Reno, NV
- San Jose, CA
- (4 principal research economist jobs)
- (4 principal research economist jobs)
- (10 principal research economist jobs)
- (12 principal research economist jobs)
- (2 principal research economist jobs)
- (5 principal research economist jobs)
- (3 principal research economist jobs)
- (0 principal research economist jobs)
- (0 principal research economist jobs)
- (3 principal research economist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a principal research economist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $133,593 | $80,000 | 420,005 | 4 |
| 2 | Fremont, CA | $132,717 | $80,000 | 233,136 | 4 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $131,504 | $78,000 | 704,352 | 10 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $134,139 | $81,000 | 870,887 | 12 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $129,348 | $76,000 | 639,863 | 2 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh, PA | $100,902 | $67,000 | 303,625 | 5 |
| 7 | Durham, NC | $94,967 | $63,000 | 263,016 | 3 |
| 8 | Anchorage, AK | $168,941 | $104,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $127,784 | $76,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 10 | San Jose, CA | $132,244 | $80,000 | 1,025,350 | 3 |
| 11 | Las Vegas, NV | $111,787 | $69,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 12 | North Las Vegas, NV | $111,381 | $69,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $103,512 | $70,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 14 | Henderson, NV | $110,629 | $69,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 15 | Cleveland, OH | $100,160 | $66,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 16 | Detroit, MI | $99,300 | $65,000 | 672,795 | 1 |
| 17 | Sacramento, CA | $132,183 | $79,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 18 | Fort Wayne, IN | $95,773 | $63,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 19 | Stockton, CA | $131,457 | $79,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 20 | Newark, NJ | $104,603 | $70,000 | 281,764 | 3 |
| 21 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $139,435 | $91,000 | 351,792 | - |
| 22 | Toledo, OH | $98,478 | $65,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 23 | Milwaukee, WI | $94,928 | $63,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 24 | Glendale, AZ | $99,300 | $63,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 25 | Cincinnati, OH | $93,542 | $61,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 26 | Columbus, OH | $96,956 | $64,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 27 | Phoenix, AZ | $99,198 | $63,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 28 | Fresno, CA | $126,746 | $77,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 29 | Scottsdale, AZ | $98,980 | $63,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 30 | Lexington, KY | $92,318 | $61,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 31 | Louisville, KY | $90,957 | $60,000 | 597,337 | 1 |
| 32 | Chandler, AZ | $98,683 | $63,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 33 | Indianapolis, IN | $92,197 | $61,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 34 | Bakersfield, CA | $122,279 | $75,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 35 | Irvine, CA | $111,928 | $70,000 | 266,122 | 3 |
| 36 | Mesa, AZ | $98,584 | $63,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 37 | Gilbert, AZ | $98,565 | $63,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 38 | Raleigh, NC | $94,820 | $63,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 39 | Albuquerque, NM | $92,860 | $60,000 | 559,277 | 1 |
| 40 | Boston, MA | $105,618 | $71,000 | 673,184 | 3 |
| 41 | Madison, WI | $93,311 | $62,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 42 | Nashville, TN | $87,694 | $58,000 | 660,388 | 1 |
| 43 | Greensboro, NC | $94,478 | $62,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 44 | Winston-Salem, NC | $94,172 | $62,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 45 | Charlotte, NC | $92,375 | $61,000 | 842,051 | 1 |
| 46 | Tucson, AZ | $96,900 | $62,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 47 | Los Angeles, CA | $115,323 | $71,000 | 3,976,322 | 2 |
| 48 | Memphis, TN | $86,477 | $57,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 49 | El Paso, TX | $93,435 | $61,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 50 | Anaheim, CA | $112,981 | $70,000 | 351,043 | - |
Highest paying cities for principal research economists
| Rank | City | Avg. principal research economist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $134,139 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $131,504 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $111,787 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $105,618 |
| 5 | Hicksville, NY | $104,886 |
| 6 | Newark, NJ | $104,603 |
| 7 | Burlington, VT | $101,996 |
| 8 | Annapolis, MD | $101,576 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $101,183 |
| 10 | McLean, VA | $101,161 |
| 11 | Pittsburgh, PA | $100,902 |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $100,160 |
| 13 | Durham, NC | $94,967 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $93,250 |
| 15 | Draper, UT | $93,229 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $90,260 |
| 17 | Saint Louis, MO | $86,049 |
| 18 | Rapid City, SD | $85,679 |
| 19 | Jacksonville, FL | $84,635 |
| 20 | Boulder, CO | $84,204 |
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Updated January 8, 2025