Best cities for a principal systems analyst
The best cities for principal systems analysts are Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, and Phoenix, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for principal systems analysts vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for principal systems analysts in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a principal systems analyst or considering a move, this list of the best cities for principal systems analysts to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for principal systems analysts. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a principal systems analyst. While the absolute best city for principal systems analysts is Portland, OR, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for principal systems analysts in 2024.
If you're looking for a principal systems analyst job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for principal systems analysts in 2025
1. Portland, OR
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $133,059 Lowest 10 percent warn: $102,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $172,000 Location quotient: 2.48 2. Seattle, WA
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $141,163 Lowest 10 percent warn: $109,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Phoenix, AZ
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $112,960 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $146,000 Location quotient: 2.03 4. Oakland, CA
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $144,153 Lowest 10 percent warn: $109,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. San Jose, CA
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $143,657 Lowest 10 percent warn: $109,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location quotient: 1.19 6. Fremont, CA
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $143,810 Lowest 10 percent warn: $109,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Scottsdale, AZ
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $112,799 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $145,000 Location quotient: 4.07 8. San Francisco, CA
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $144,433 Lowest 10 percent warn: $110,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $189,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Nashville, TN
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $101,462 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 1.61 10. Stockton, CA
Total principal systems analyst jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $142,893 Lowest 10 percent warn: $108,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $187,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for principal systems analysts
- Portland, OR
- Seattle, WA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Oakland, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Scottsdale, AZ
- San Francisco, CA
- Nashville, TN
- Stockton, CA
- (2 principal systems analyst jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a principal systems analyst
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, OR | $133,059 | $102,000 | 639,863 | 2 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $141,163 | $109,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $112,960 | $87,000 | 1,615,017 | 3 |
| 4 | Oakland, CA | $144,153 | $109,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $143,657 | $109,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 6 | Fremont, CA | $143,810 | $109,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 7 | Scottsdale, AZ | $112,799 | $87,000 | 246,645 | 1 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $144,433 | $110,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 9 | Nashville, TN | $101,462 | $80,000 | 660,388 | 1 |
| 10 | Stockton, CA | $142,893 | $108,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 11 | Sacramento, CA | $142,704 | $108,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 12 | Memphis, TN | $101,847 | $80,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $113,021 | $87,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 14 | Columbus, OH | $99,938 | $80,000 | 860,090 | 2 |
| 15 | New Orleans, LA | $113,344 | $89,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 16 | Fresno, CA | $140,844 | $107,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 17 | Tucson, AZ | $112,921 | $87,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 18 | Chandler, AZ | $112,917 | $87,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 19 | Philadelphia, PA | $109,952 | $88,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 20 | Pittsburgh, PA | $108,211 | $86,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 21 | Gilbert, AZ | $112,870 | $87,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 22 | Cleveland, OH | $100,335 | $80,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 23 | Reno, NV | $111,254 | $85,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 24 | Bakersfield, CA | $136,726 | $104,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 25 | Mesa, AZ | $112,825 | $87,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 26 | Toledo, OH | $99,970 | $80,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 27 | Cincinnati, OH | $99,374 | $79,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 28 | Las Vegas, NV | $105,234 | $80,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 29 | Oklahoma City, OK | $104,282 | $82,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 30 | North Las Vegas, NV | $104,990 | $80,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 31 | Tulsa, OK | $103,771 | $82,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 32 | Fort Worth, TX | $101,795 | $79,000 | 854,113 | 2 |
| 33 | Atlanta, GA | $108,614 | $86,000 | 472,522 | 4 |
| 34 | Houston, TX | $102,726 | $80,000 | 2,303,482 | 7 |
| 35 | Irvine, CA | $128,842 | $99,000 | 266,122 | 2 |
| 36 | Henderson, NV | $104,244 | $80,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 37 | Los Angeles, CA | $130,353 | $100,000 | 3,976,322 | 3 |
| 38 | Milwaukee, WI | $102,364 | $82,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 39 | Laredo, TX | $103,357 | $80,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 40 | San Antonio, TX | $103,323 | $80,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 41 | Madison, WI | $102,252 | $82,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 42 | San Diego, CA | $127,055 | $97,000 | 1,406,630 | 6 |
| 43 | Austin, TX | $103,064 | $80,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 44 | Corpus Christi, TX | $103,029 | $80,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 45 | Long Beach, CA | $129,534 | $99,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 46 | Anaheim, CA | $129,303 | $99,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 47 | El Paso, TX | $105,036 | $81,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 48 | Santa Ana, CA | $129,082 | $99,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 49 | Lubbock, TX | $102,433 | $80,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 50 | Dallas, TX | $101,644 | $79,000 | 1,317,929 | 2 |
Highest paying cities for principal systems analysts
| Rank | City | Avg. principal systems analyst salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $144,433 |
| 2 | Bellevue, WA | $140,979 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $117,074 |
| 4 | Phoenix, AZ | $112,960 |
| 5 | Jersey City, NJ | $111,955 |
| 6 | Horsham, PA | $109,920 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $109,864 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $108,614 |
| 9 | Merrimack, NH | $104,456 |
| 10 | Rochester, MN | $103,637 |
| 11 | Houston, TX | $102,726 |
| 12 | Boston, MA | $100,940 |
| 13 | Englewood, CO | $100,933 |
| 14 | Melbourne, FL | $100,102 |
| 15 | Cary, NC | $97,565 |
| 16 | Arlington, VA | $92,288 |
| 17 | Indianapolis, IN | $89,677 |











