Best cities for a research and development manager
The best cities for research and development managers are San Jose, CA, Fresno, CA, and Fremont, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research and development managers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research and development managers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research and development manager or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research and development managers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research and development managers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research and development manager. While the absolute best city for research and development managers is San Jose, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research and development managers in 2024.
If you're looking for a research and development manager job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research and development managers in 2026
1. San Jose, CA
Total research and development manager jobs: 38 Average annual salary: $154,694 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $245,000 Location quotient: 9.72 2. Fresno, CA
Total research and development manager jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $149,729 Lowest 10 percent warn: $93,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $239,000 Location quotient: 12.95 3. Fremont, CA
Total research and development manager jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $155,370 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $246,000 Location quotient: 4.51 4. Pittsburgh, PA
Total research and development manager jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $110,323 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $163,000 Location quotient: 6.00 5. Philadelphia, PA
Total research and development manager jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $114,472 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $168,000 Location quotient: 4.87 6. Durham, NC
Total research and development manager jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $111,113 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 5.57 7. Detroit, MI
Total research and development manager jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $110,355 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $163,000 Location quotient: 5.15 8. Raleigh, NC
Total research and development manager jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $111,052 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 4.17 9. Indianapolis, IN
Total research and development manager jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $112,547 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $169,000 Location quotient: 3.22 10. Mesa, AZ
Total research and development manager jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $110,731 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $178,000 Location quotient: 11.54
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Best cities for research and development managers
- San Jose, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Durham, NC
- Detroit, MI
- Raleigh, NC
- Indianapolis, IN
- Mesa, AZ
- (38 research and development manager jobs)
- (4 research and development manager jobs)
- (5 research and development manager jobs)
- (10 research and development manager jobs)
- (13 research and development manager jobs)
- (5 research and development manager jobs)
- (6 research and development manager jobs)
- (6 research and development manager jobs)
- (7 research and development manager jobs)
- (3 research and development manager jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a research and development manager
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $154,694 | $97,000 | 1,025,350 | 38 |
| 2 | Fresno, CA | $149,729 | $93,000 | 522,053 | 4 |
| 3 | Fremont, CA | $155,370 | $98,000 | 233,136 | 5 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $110,323 | $74,000 | 303,625 | 10 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $114,472 | $77,000 | 1,567,872 | 13 |
| 6 | Durham, NC | $111,113 | $74,000 | 263,016 | 5 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $110,355 | $74,000 | 672,795 | 6 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $111,052 | $74,000 | 458,880 | 6 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $112,547 | $74,000 | 855,164 | 7 |
| 10 | Mesa, AZ | $110,731 | $68,000 | 484,587 | 3 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $148,239 | $94,000 | 704,352 | 10 |
| 12 | San Francisco, CA | $156,674 | $98,000 | 870,887 | 6 |
| 13 | Winston-Salem, NC | $110,034 | $73,000 | 242,203 | 1 |
| 14 | Memphis, TN | $98,629 | $64,000 | 652,717 | 7 |
| 15 | North Las Vegas, NV | $104,086 | $64,000 | 238,702 | 4 |
| 16 | Columbus, OH | $102,435 | $68,000 | 860,090 | 10 |
| 17 | Los Angeles, CA | $136,041 | $84,000 | 3,976,322 | 18 |
| 18 | Chandler, AZ | $110,748 | $68,000 | 247,477 | 3 |
| 19 | Oakland, CA | $156,298 | $98,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 20 | Sacramento, CA | $156,221 | $98,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 21 | Fort Wayne, IN | $115,424 | $77,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 22 | Brookhaven, NY | $114,342 | $78,000 | 486,040 | 4 |
| 23 | Stockton, CA | $155,060 | $97,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 24 | San Diego, CA | $130,264 | $81,000 | 1,406,630 | 21 |
| 25 | Irvine, CA | $133,356 | $82,000 | 266,122 | 8 |
| 26 | Greensboro, NC | $110,415 | $73,000 | 287,027 | 1 |
| 27 | Anchorage, AK | $132,505 | $87,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 28 | Atlanta, GA | $105,377 | $69,000 | 472,522 | 29 |
| 29 | Portland, OR | $130,527 | $82,000 | 639,863 | 1 |
| 30 | New Orleans, LA | $117,079 | $73,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 31 | Reno, NV | $116,601 | $73,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 32 | Cleveland, OH | $104,946 | $70,000 | 385,809 | 1 |
| 33 | Boston, MA | $122,318 | $84,000 | 673,184 | 10 |
| 34 | Albuquerque, NM | $94,685 | $59,000 | 559,277 | 16 |
| 35 | Bakersfield, CA | $142,930 | $89,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 36 | Charlotte, NC | $108,290 | $72,000 | 842,051 | 5 |
| 37 | Toledo, OH | $103,495 | $69,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 38 | Minneapolis, MN | $100,886 | $67,000 | 413,651 | 12 |
| 39 | Lexington, KY | $105,258 | $70,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 40 | Louisville, KY | $104,146 | $69,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 41 | Buffalo, NY | $110,185 | $75,000 | 256,902 | 5 |
| 42 | Nashville, TN | $101,124 | $66,000 | 660,388 | 2 |
| 43 | Long Beach, CA | $134,501 | $83,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 44 | Anaheim, CA | $134,239 | $83,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 45 | Glendale, AZ | $111,200 | $69,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 46 | Phoenix, AZ | $111,151 | $69,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 47 | New York, NY | $113,309 | $77,000 | 8,537,673 | 64 |
| 48 | Scottsdale, AZ | $111,058 | $69,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 49 | Chicago, IL | $104,723 | $69,000 | 2,704,958 | 14 |
| 50 | Santa Ana, CA | $133,778 | $83,000 | 334,217 | - |
Highest paying cities for research and development managers
| Rank | City | Avg. research and development manager salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $156,674 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $148,239 |
| 3 | Hillsboro, OR | $131,063 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $122,318 |
| 5 | Johnston, RI | $117,425 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $114,472 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $113,309 |
| 8 | Indianapolis, IN | $112,547 |
| 9 | Durham, NC | $111,113 |
| 10 | Portage, MI | $107,936 |
| 11 | Washington, DC | $107,284 |
| 12 | Bozeman, MT | $106,705 |
| 13 | Atlanta, GA | $105,377 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $104,723 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $102,435 |
| 16 | Minneapolis, MN | $100,886 |
| 17 | Saint Louis, MO | $98,188 |
| 18 | Salt Lake City, UT | $96,738 |
| 19 | Broomfield, CO | $95,376 |
| 20 | Albuquerque, NM | $94,685 |
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Updated January 8, 2025