Best cities for a principal research scientist
The best cities for principal research scientists are Oakland, CA, Irvine, CA, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for principal research scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for principal research scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a principal research scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for principal research scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for principal research scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a principal research scientist. While the absolute best city for principal research scientists is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for principal research scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a principal research scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for principal research scientists in 2025
1. Oakland, CA
Principal research scientist jobs in OaklandTotal principal research scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $166,229 Lowest 10 percent warn: $110,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $249,000 Location quotient: 4.22 2. Irvine, CA
Principal research scientist jobs in IrvineTotal principal research scientist jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $157,808 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $239,000 Location quotient: 6.88 3. San Francisco, CA
Principal research scientist jobs in San FranciscoTotal principal research scientist jobs: 20 Average annual salary: $166,488 Lowest 10 percent warn: $111,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $249,000 Location quotient: 2.69 4. Sacramento, CA
Principal research scientist jobs in SacramentoTotal principal research scientist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $164,943 Lowest 10 percent warn: $109,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $248,000 Location quotient: 2.58 5. Anchorage, AK
Principal research scientist jobs in AnchorageTotal principal research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $154,353 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $227,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. San Diego, CA
Principal research scientist jobs in San DiegoTotal principal research scientist jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $155,528 Lowest 10 percent warn: $102,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $236,000 Location quotient: 3.10 7. Las Vegas, NV
Principal research scientist jobs in Las VegasTotal principal research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $134,393 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. San Jose, CA
Principal research scientist jobs in San JoseTotal principal research scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $165,830 Lowest 10 percent warn: $110,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $248,000 Location quotient: 0.57 9. Reno, NV
Principal research scientist jobs in RenoTotal principal research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $137,801 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $208,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Henderson, NV
Principal research scientist jobs in HendersonTotal principal research scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $134,209 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for principal research scientists
- Oakland, CA
- Irvine, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- San Diego, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Jose, CA
- Reno, NV
- Henderson, NV
- (3 principal research scientist jobs)
- (14 principal research scientist jobs)
- (20 principal research scientist jobs)
- (4 principal research scientist jobs)
- (0 principal research scientist jobs)
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- (3 principal research scientist jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a principal research scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $166,229 | $110,000 | 420,005 | 3 |
| 2 | Irvine, CA | $157,808 | $104,000 | 266,122 | 14 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $166,488 | $111,000 | 870,887 | 20 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $164,943 | $109,000 | 495,234 | 4 |
| 5 | Anchorage, AK | $154,353 | $104,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $155,528 | $102,000 | 1,406,630 | 14 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $134,393 | $88,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $165,830 | $110,000 | 1,025,350 | 3 |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $137,801 | $90,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 10 | Henderson, NV | $134,209 | $88,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 11 | Indianapolis, IN | $111,908 | $77,000 | 855,164 | 11 |
| 12 | North Las Vegas, NV | $134,140 | $88,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 13 | Fremont, CA | $165,933 | $110,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 14 | Nashville, TN | $112,716 | $76,000 | 660,388 | 3 |
| 15 | Saint Paul, MN | $112,833 | $79,000 | 302,398 | 8 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh, PA | $109,017 | $76,000 | 303,625 | 9 |
| 17 | Stockton, CA | $165,007 | $109,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 18 | Long Beach, CA | $158,450 | $104,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 19 | Los Angeles, CA | $159,154 | $105,000 | 3,976,322 | 3 |
| 20 | Anaheim, CA | $158,248 | $104,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 21 | Fresno, CA | $163,383 | $108,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 22 | Santa Ana, CA | $158,036 | $104,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 23 | Minneapolis, MN | $112,853 | $79,000 | 413,651 | 10 |
| 24 | Bakersfield, CA | $162,086 | $107,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 25 | Riverside, CA | $157,814 | $104,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 26 | Seattle, WA | $125,938 | $83,000 | 704,352 | 16 |
| 27 | Glendale, AZ | $124,220 | $80,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 28 | Phoenix, AZ | $124,147 | $80,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 29 | Philadelphia, PA | $112,054 | $78,000 | 1,567,872 | 4 |
| 30 | Scottsdale, AZ | $124,003 | $80,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 31 | Raleigh, NC | $102,333 | $70,000 | 458,880 | 3 |
| 32 | Fort Wayne, IN | $115,075 | $80,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 33 | Madison, WI | $110,594 | $77,000 | 252,551 | 2 |
| 34 | Chula Vista, CA | $155,123 | $101,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 35 | Chandler, AZ | $123,442 | $80,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 36 | Mesa, AZ | $123,429 | $80,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 37 | Gilbert, AZ | $123,328 | $80,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 38 | Memphis, TN | $112,243 | $75,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 39 | Boston, MA | $111,607 | $79,000 | 673,184 | 22 |
| 40 | Portland, OR | $122,654 | $80,000 | 639,863 | 1 |
| 41 | Tucson, AZ | $120,103 | $78,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 42 | Milwaukee, WI | $111,236 | $78,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 43 | Oklahoma City, OK | $94,844 | $62,000 | 638,367 | 3 |
| 44 | Columbus, OH | $86,121 | $60,000 | 860,090 | 19 |
| 45 | Durham, NC | $102,309 | $70,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 46 | Greensboro, NC | $101,721 | $70,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 47 | Jacksonville, FL | $103,900 | $69,000 | 880,619 | 3 |
| 48 | Jersey City, NJ | $119,572 | $84,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 49 | Winston-Salem, NC | $101,379 | $70,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 50 | Newark, NJ | $119,475 | $84,000 | 281,764 | - |
Highest paying cities for principal research scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. principal research scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $166,488 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $125,938 |
| 3 | Beaverton, OR | $122,901 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $112,853 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $112,054 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $111,908 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $111,607 |
| 8 | Dania Beach, FL | $107,930 |
| 9 | McLean, VA | $104,100 |
| 10 | Burlington, VT | $103,457 |
| 11 | North Chicago, IL | $102,927 |
| 12 | College Park, MD | $99,021 |
| 13 | New York, NY | $97,847 |
| 14 | Colorado Springs, CO | $96,285 |
| 15 | Houston, TX | $95,686 |
| 16 | Ann Arbor, MI | $91,417 |
| 17 | Columbus, OH | $86,121 |
| 18 | Atlanta, GA | $74,555 |
| 19 | Ames, IA | $67,486 |
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Updated January 8, 2025