Best cities for a research and development internship
The best cities for research and development interns are Houston, TX, Fort Worth, TX, and Scottsdale, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research and development interns vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research and development interns in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research and development internship or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research and development interns to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research and development interns. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research and development internship. While the absolute best city for research and development interns is Houston, TX, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research and development interns in 2024.
If you're looking for a research and development internship job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research and development interns in 2026
1. Houston, TX
Research and development internship jobs in HoustonTotal research and development internship jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $38,018 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $48,000 Location quotient: 1.81 2. Fort Worth, TX
Research and development internship jobs in Fort WorthTotal research and development internship jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $37,733 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 3.07 3. Scottsdale, AZ
Research and development internship jobs in ScottsdaleTotal research and development internship jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $41,311 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 2.44 4. Albuquerque, NM
Research and development internship jobs in AlbuquerqueTotal research and development internship jobs: 28 Average annual salary: $39,181 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $48,000 Location quotient: 26.61 5. Indianapolis, IN
Research and development internship jobs in IndianapolisTotal research and development internship jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $38,440 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 0.97 6. Toledo, OH
Research and development internship jobs in ToledoTotal research and development internship jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $36,924 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Cleveland, OH
Research and development internship jobs in ClevelandTotal research and development internship jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $36,892 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Phoenix, AZ
Research and development internship jobs in PhoenixTotal research and development internship jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $41,362 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 0.61 9. Cincinnati, OH
Research and development internship jobs in CincinnatiTotal research and development internship jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $35,338 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $44,000 Location quotient: 4.11 10. Reno, NV
Research and development internship jobs in RenoTotal research and development internship jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $40,437 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for research and development interns
- Houston, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Albuquerque, NM
- Indianapolis, IN
- Toledo, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Phoenix, AZ
- Cincinnati, OH
- Reno, NV
- (16 research and development internship jobs)
- (4 research and development internship jobs)
- (2 research and development internship jobs)
- (28 research and development internship jobs)
- (3 research and development internship jobs)
- (0 research and development internship jobs)
- (0 research and development internship jobs)
- (3 research and development internship jobs)
- (7 research and development internship jobs)
- (0 research and development internship jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a research and development internship
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $38,018 | $29,000 | 2,303,482 | 16 |
| 2 | Fort Worth, TX | $37,733 | $29,000 | 854,113 | 4 |
| 3 | Scottsdale, AZ | $41,311 | $33,000 | 246,645 | 2 |
| 4 | Albuquerque, NM | $39,181 | $31,000 | 559,277 | 28 |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | $38,440 | $30,000 | 855,164 | 3 |
| 6 | Toledo, OH | $36,924 | $29,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 7 | Cleveland, OH | $36,892 | $29,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $41,362 | $33,000 | 1,615,017 | 3 |
| 9 | Cincinnati, OH | $35,338 | $28,000 | 298,800 | 7 |
| 10 | Reno, NV | $40,437 | $32,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 11 | Fort Wayne, IN | $39,277 | $31,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $46,521 | $37,000 | 1,567,872 | 2 |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $41,381 | $33,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 14 | Irving, TX | $37,561 | $29,000 | 238,289 | 3 |
| 15 | Pittsburgh, PA | $46,526 | $37,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 16 | Tucson, AZ | $41,361 | $33,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 17 | Minneapolis, MN | $39,428 | $32,000 | 413,651 | 5 |
| 18 | Chandler, AZ | $41,348 | $33,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 19 | Gilbert, AZ | $41,332 | $33,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 20 | El Paso, TX | $40,342 | $32,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 21 | Mesa, AZ | $41,317 | $33,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 22 | Arlington, TX | $37,641 | $29,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 23 | Laredo, TX | $39,995 | $31,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 24 | Las Vegas, NV | $39,545 | $31,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 25 | Henderson, NV | $39,505 | $31,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 26 | North Las Vegas, NV | $39,500 | $31,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 27 | Dallas, TX | $37,503 | $29,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 28 | Plano, TX | $37,422 | $29,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 29 | Madison, WI | $35,313 | $28,000 | 252,551 | 5 |
| 30 | Garland, TX | $37,406 | $29,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 31 | Corpus Christi, TX | $39,359 | $30,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 32 | San Antonio, TX | $39,256 | $30,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 33 | Columbus, OH | $36,043 | $28,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 34 | Colorado Springs, CO | $39,553 | $32,000 | 465,101 | 7 |
| 35 | Lubbock, TX | $39,027 | $31,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 36 | Detroit, MI | $37,107 | $30,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 37 | Saint Paul, MN | $39,417 | $32,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 38 | Austin, TX | $38,679 | $30,000 | 947,890 | 1 |
| 39 | Kansas City, MO | $38,367 | $31,000 | 481,420 | - |
| 40 | Louisville, KY | $35,595 | $28,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 41 | Portland, OR | $40,871 | $33,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 42 | Boston, MA | $35,845 | $29,000 | 673,184 | 3 |
| 43 | Lexington, KY | $35,387 | $28,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 44 | Fremont, CA | $37,103 | $29,000 | 233,136 | 6 |
| 45 | Chicago, IL | $38,060 | $30,000 | 2,704,958 | 11 |
| 46 | Memphis, TN | $30,848 | $24,000 | 652,717 | 7 |
| 47 | Virginia Beach, VA | $41,122 | $32,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 48 | Norfolk, VA | $41,096 | $32,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 49 | Anchorage, AK | $40,576 | $36,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 50 | Saint Louis, MO | $37,782 | $30,000 | 311,404 | - |
Highest paying cities for research and development interns
| Rank | City | Avg. research and development internship salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Easton, PA | $46,624 |
| 2 | Tempe, AZ | $41,354 |
| 3 | Eugene, OR | $40,770 |
| 4 | Fort Collins, CO | $40,205 |
| 5 | Bridgewater, NJ | $39,601 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $39,428 |
| 7 | Albuquerque, NM | $39,181 |
| 8 | Cumberland, RI | $39,111 |
| 9 | Danbury, CT | $38,912 |
| 10 | Buffalo Grove, IL | $38,203 |
| 11 | Houston, TX | $38,018 |
| 12 | Farmington Hills, MI | $37,137 |
| 13 | Davis, CA | $37,022 |
| 14 | New York, NY | $35,987 |
| 15 | Boston, MA | $35,845 |
| 16 | Topeka, KS | $35,670 |
| 17 | Mason, OH | $35,581 |
| 18 | Madison, WI | $35,313 |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $35,123 |
| 20 | Salt Lake City, UT | $35,078 |











