Best cities for a research and development scientist
The best cities for research and development scientists are Chandler, AZ, Bakersfield, CA, and Minneapolis, MN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research and development scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research and development scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research and development scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research and development scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research and development scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research and development scientist. While the absolute best city for research and development scientists is Chandler, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research and development scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a research and development scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research and development scientists in 2026
1. Chandler, AZ
Total research and development scientist jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $96,717 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 31.23 2. Bakersfield, CA
Total research and development scientist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $110,372 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $163,000 Location quotient: 18.03 3. Minneapolis, MN
Total research and development scientist jobs: 45 Average annual salary: $91,695 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location quotient: 19.48 4. Scottsdale, AZ
Total research and development scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $96,756 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 4.71 5. Fresno, CA
Total research and development scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $115,163 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $171,000 Location quotient: 8.74 6. Anaheim, CA
Total research and development scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $106,319 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $157,000 Location quotient: 9.66 7. Indianapolis, IN
Total research and development scientist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $95,293 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 2.07 8. Saint Paul, MN
Total research and development scientist jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $91,721 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location quotient: 7.65 9. Tucson, AZ
Total research and development scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $96,215 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $143,000 Location quotient: 2.88 10. Fremont, CA
Total research and development scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $119,391 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $176,000 Location quotient: 1.62
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Best cities for research and development scientists
- Chandler, AZ
- Bakersfield, CA
- Minneapolis, MN
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Fresno, CA
- Anaheim, CA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Saint Paul, MN
- Tucson, AZ
- Fremont, CA
- (19 research and development scientist jobs)
- (5 research and development scientist jobs)
- (45 research and development scientist jobs)
- (3 research and development scientist jobs)
- (3 research and development scientist jobs)
- (3 research and development scientist jobs)
- (5 research and development scientist jobs)
- (9 research and development scientist jobs)
- (2 research and development scientist jobs)
- (2 research and development scientist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a research and development scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandler, AZ | $96,717 | $64,000 | 247,477 | 19 |
| 2 | Bakersfield, CA | $110,372 | $74,000 | 376,380 | 5 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $91,695 | $66,000 | 413,651 | 45 |
| 4 | Scottsdale, AZ | $96,756 | $64,000 | 246,645 | 3 |
| 5 | Fresno, CA | $115,163 | $77,000 | 522,053 | 3 |
| 6 | Anaheim, CA | $106,319 | $71,000 | 351,043 | 3 |
| 7 | Indianapolis, IN | $95,293 | $68,000 | 855,164 | 5 |
| 8 | Saint Paul, MN | $91,721 | $66,000 | 302,398 | 9 |
| 9 | Tucson, AZ | $96,215 | $64,000 | 530,706 | 2 |
| 10 | Fremont, CA | $119,391 | $80,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 11 | Los Angeles, CA | $107,028 | $72,000 | 3,976,322 | 26 |
| 12 | San Diego, CA | $105,070 | $71,000 | 1,406,630 | 30 |
| 13 | San Jose, CA | $119,090 | $80,000 | 1,025,350 | 6 |
| 14 | Greensboro, NC | $79,837 | $56,000 | 287,027 | 8 |
| 15 | Irvine, CA | $106,055 | $71,000 | 266,122 | 5 |
| 16 | Nashville, TN | $116,394 | $81,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 17 | Cincinnati, OH | $75,958 | $54,000 | 298,800 | 16 |
| 18 | San Francisco, CA | $120,242 | $81,000 | 870,887 | 2 |
| 19 | Memphis, TN | $115,001 | $79,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 20 | Fort Wayne, IN | $96,244 | $69,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 21 | Cleveland, OH | $77,376 | $55,000 | 385,809 | 3 |
| 22 | Oakland, CA | $119,914 | $81,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 23 | Phoenix, AZ | $96,908 | $65,000 | 1,615,017 | 3 |
| 24 | Sacramento, CA | $118,905 | $80,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 25 | Madison, WI | $76,710 | $55,000 | 252,551 | 10 |
| 26 | Stockton, CA | $118,564 | $80,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 27 | Glendale, AZ | $96,972 | $65,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 28 | Gilbert, AZ | $96,658 | $64,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 29 | Mesa, AZ | $96,644 | $64,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 30 | Columbus, OH | $76,789 | $55,000 | 860,090 | 6 |
| 31 | Reno, NV | $93,126 | $62,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 32 | Brookhaven, NY | $82,922 | $60,000 | 486,040 | 3 |
| 33 | Long Beach, CA | $106,523 | $71,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 34 | Durham, NC | $80,218 | $56,000 | 263,016 | 2 |
| 35 | Garland, TX | $71,854 | $47,000 | 234,943 | 2 |
| 36 | Lexington, KY | $71,504 | $50,000 | 318,449 | 2 |
| 37 | Las Vegas, NV | $86,095 | $57,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 38 | Santa Ana, CA | $106,200 | $71,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 39 | North Las Vegas, NV | $85,978 | $57,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 40 | Pittsburgh, PA | $78,681 | $56,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 41 | Plano, TX | $71,710 | $47,000 | 286,057 | 25 |
| 42 | Riverside, CA | $105,886 | $71,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 43 | Philadelphia, PA | $80,451 | $58,000 | 1,567,872 | 3 |
| 44 | Austin, TX | $73,754 | $48,000 | 947,890 | 15 |
| 45 | Seattle, WA | $93,770 | $65,000 | 704,352 | 4 |
| 46 | Boston, MA | $87,436 | $64,000 | 673,184 | 10 |
| 47 | Milwaukee, WI | $77,039 | $55,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 48 | Henderson, NV | $85,483 | $57,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 49 | Albuquerque, NM | $70,880 | $47,000 | 559,277 | 11 |
| 50 | Chicago, IL | $83,829 | $60,000 | 2,704,958 | 12 |
Highest paying cities for research and development scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. research and development scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South San Francisco, CA | $120,052 |
| 2 | Oak Ridge, TN | $117,621 |
| 3 | Newark, DE | $102,845 |
| 4 | Chandler, AZ | $96,717 |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | $95,293 |
| 6 | Newark, NJ | $95,155 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $91,695 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $87,436 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $83,829 |
| 10 | New York, NY | $82,674 |
| 11 | Germantown, MD | $82,091 |
| 12 | Greenville, NC | $80,885 |
| 13 | Bend, OR | $78,203 |
| 14 | Madison, WI | $76,710 |
| 15 | Mason, OH | $76,167 |
| 16 | Denver, CO | $75,811 |
| 17 | Twin Falls, ID | $74,344 |
| 18 | Austin, TX | $73,754 |
| 19 | Albuquerque, NM | $70,880 |
| 20 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $70,025 |
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Updated January 8, 2025