Best cities for a project engineer/software engineer
The best cities for project engineer/software engineers are Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, and Houston, TX, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for project engineer/software engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for project engineer/software engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a project engineer/software engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for project engineer/software engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for project engineer/software engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a project engineer/software engineer. While the absolute best city for project engineer/software engineers is Austin, TX, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for project engineer/software engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a project engineer/software engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for project engineer/software engineers in 2025
1. Austin, TX
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $128,106 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 2.56 2. Seattle, WA
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $148,041 Lowest 10 percent warn: $111,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $196,000 Location quotient: 1.35 3. Houston, TX
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $127,583 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 2.03 4. San Francisco, CA
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $156,126 Lowest 10 percent warn: $116,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $208,000 Location quotient: 2.28 5. San Antonio, TX
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $128,406 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. El Paso, TX
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $130,231 Lowest 10 percent warn: $99,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $170,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Corpus Christi, TX
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $128,110 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Laredo, TX
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $128,534 Lowest 10 percent warn: $99,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Lubbock, TX
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $127,084 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Oakland, CA
Total project engineer/software engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $155,870 Lowest 10 percent warn: $116,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $208,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for project engineer/software engineers
- Austin, TX
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
- San Francisco, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- El Paso, TX
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Laredo, TX
- Lubbock, TX
- Oakland, CA
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Detailed list of the best cities for a project engineer/software engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $128,106 | $98,000 | 947,890 | 3 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $148,041 | $111,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $127,583 | $97,000 | 2,303,482 | 4 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $156,126 | $116,000 | 870,887 | 4 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $128,406 | $98,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 6 | El Paso, TX | $130,231 | $99,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 7 | Corpus Christi, TX | $128,110 | $98,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 8 | Laredo, TX | $128,534 | $99,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 9 | Lubbock, TX | $127,084 | $97,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 10 | Oakland, CA | $155,870 | $116,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 11 | Fremont, CA | $155,522 | $116,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 12 | San Jose, CA | $155,290 | $116,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 13 | Stockton, CA | $154,766 | $115,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 14 | Sacramento, CA | $154,757 | $115,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 15 | Fort Worth, TX | $125,288 | $96,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 16 | Arlington, TX | $125,216 | $96,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 17 | Dallas, TX | $124,820 | $95,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 18 | Irving, TX | $124,742 | $95,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 19 | Garland, TX | $124,264 | $95,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 20 | Plano, TX | $123,962 | $95,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 21 | Toledo, OH | $111,003 | $85,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 22 | Glendale, AZ | $121,495 | $91,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 23 | Phoenix, AZ | $121,433 | $91,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 24 | Fresno, CA | $152,260 | $113,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 25 | Bakersfield, CA | $149,391 | $111,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 26 | Scottsdale, AZ | $121,292 | $91,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 27 | Chandler, AZ | $121,105 | $91,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 28 | Cleveland, OH | $112,594 | $86,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 29 | Mesa, AZ | $121,055 | $91,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 30 | Gilbert, AZ | $121,034 | $91,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 31 | Columbus, OH | $110,173 | $85,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 32 | Tucson, AZ | $120,059 | $91,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 33 | Louisville, KY | $110,946 | $85,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 34 | Los Angeles, CA | $144,995 | $108,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 35 | Lexington, KY | $111,726 | $86,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 36 | Nashville, TN | $107,708 | $83,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 37 | Long Beach, CA | $144,021 | $108,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 38 | Memphis, TN | $107,563 | $83,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 39 | Philadelphia, PA | $109,330 | $83,000 | 1,567,872 | 2 |
| 40 | Anaheim, CA | $143,769 | $108,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 41 | Santa Ana, CA | $143,489 | $108,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 42 | Cincinnati, OH | $107,914 | $83,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 43 | Riverside, CA | $143,202 | $107,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 44 | Irvine, CA | $143,190 | $107,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 45 | San Diego, CA | $140,852 | $106,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 46 | Reno, NV | $111,728 | $83,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 47 | Chula Vista, CA | $140,566 | $106,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 48 | Pittsburgh, PA | $107,061 | $82,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 49 | Portland, OR | $120,729 | $90,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 50 | Hempstead, NY | $127,961 | $98,000 | 759,757 | - |
Highest paying cities for project engineer/software engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. project engineer/software engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $156,126 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $148,041 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $128,106 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $127,913 |
| 5 | Tucson, AZ | $120,059 |
| 6 | Westminster, CO | $116,906 |
| 7 | Arlington, VA | $111,943 |
| 8 | Shelton, CT | $111,687 |
| 9 | Annapolis, MD | $110,457 |
| 10 | Jupiter, FL | $109,374 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $109,330 |
| 12 | Dayton, OH | $108,665 |
| 13 | Atlanta, GA | $105,346 |
| 14 | Milwaukee, WI | $101,863 |
| 15 | Warren, MI | $100,316 |
| 16 | Indianapolis, IN | $97,863 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $91,833 |
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Updated January 8, 2025