Best cities for a research scientist
The best cities for research scientists are Indianapolis, IN, Pittsburgh, PA, and San Diego, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research scientist. While the absolute best city for research scientists is Indianapolis, IN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a research scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research scientists in 2026
1. Indianapolis, IN
Research scientist jobs in IndianapolisTotal research scientist jobs: 148 Average annual salary: $98,052 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $145,000 Location quotient: 12.95 2. Pittsburgh, PA
Research scientist jobs in PittsburghTotal research scientist jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $76,389 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $112,000 Location quotient: 11.32 3. San Diego, CA
Research scientist jobs in San DiegoTotal research scientist jobs: 213 Average annual salary: $112,471 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 9.76 4. San Jose, CA
Research scientist jobs in San JoseTotal research scientist jobs: 230 Average annual salary: $124,094 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location quotient: 4.10 5. San Francisco, CA
Research scientist jobs in San FranciscoTotal research scientist jobs: 66 Average annual salary: $123,962 Lowest 10 percent warn: $75,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location quotient: 4.07 6. Los Angeles, CA
Research scientist jobs in Los AngelesTotal research scientist jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $118,255 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $192,000 Location quotient: 4.14 7. Reno, NV
Research scientist jobs in RenoTotal research scientist jobs: 40 Average annual salary: $80,413 Lowest 10 percent warn: $49,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 6.71 8. Tucson, AZ
Research scientist jobs in TucsonTotal research scientist jobs: 100 Average annual salary: $77,297 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $122,000 Location quotient: 11.17 9. Memphis, TN
Research scientist jobs in MemphisTotal research scientist jobs: 96 Average annual salary: $86,408 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 6.13 10. Seattle, WA
Research scientist jobs in SeattleTotal research scientist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $81,884 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 19.20
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Best cities for research scientists
- Indianapolis, IN
- Pittsburgh, PA
- San Diego, CA
- San Jose, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Reno, NV
- Tucson, AZ
- Memphis, TN
- Seattle, WA
Detailed list of the best cities for a research scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis, IN | $98,052 | $66,000 | 855,164 | 148 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh, PA | $76,389 | $52,000 | 303,625 | 15 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $112,471 | $69,000 | 1,406,630 | 213 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $124,094 | $76,000 | 1,025,350 | 230 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $123,962 | $75,000 | 870,887 | 66 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $118,255 | $72,000 | 3,976,322 | 25 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $80,413 | $49,000 | 245,255 | 40 |
| 8 | Tucson, AZ | $77,297 | $48,000 | 530,706 | 100 |
| 9 | Memphis, TN | $86,408 | $58,000 | 652,717 | 96 |
| 10 | Seattle, WA | $81,884 | $50,000 | 704,352 | 4 |
| 11 | Milwaukee, WI | $72,316 | $48,000 | 595,047 | 118 |
| 12 | Oakland, CA | $123,421 | $75,000 | 420,005 | 23 |
| 13 | Bakersfield, CA | $120,307 | $73,000 | 376,380 | 11 |
| 14 | Saint Paul, MN | $83,004 | $55,000 | 302,398 | 71 |
| 15 | Durham, NC | $67,854 | $45,000 | 263,016 | 235 |
| 16 | Boston, MA | $80,225 | $55,000 | 673,184 | 110 |
| 17 | Brookhaven, NY | $76,830 | $52,000 | 486,040 | 49 |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | $67,340 | $45,000 | 385,809 | 93 |
| 19 | Fremont, CA | $123,575 | $75,000 | 233,136 | 39 |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $65,791 | $44,000 | 860,090 | 96 |
| 21 | Detroit, MI | $70,511 | $47,000 | 672,795 | 113 |
| 22 | Buffalo, NY | $74,931 | $51,000 | 256,902 | 190 |
| 23 | Sacramento, CA | $117,344 | $72,000 | 495,234 | 32 |
| 24 | Nashville, TN | $89,628 | $60,000 | 660,388 | 36 |
| 25 | Irvine, CA | $116,056 | $71,000 | 266,122 | 46 |
| 26 | Philadelphia, PA | $78,317 | $53,000 | 1,567,872 | 100 |
| 27 | Cincinnati, OH | $64,428 | $43,000 | 298,800 | 101 |
| 28 | Madison, WI | $71,872 | $48,000 | 252,551 | 48 |
| 29 | Anaheim, CA | $116,736 | $71,000 | 351,043 | 5 |
| 30 | Chandler, AZ | $78,468 | $49,000 | 247,477 | 23 |
| 31 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $102,618 | $72,000 | 351,792 | 26 |
| 32 | Newark, NJ | $92,744 | $63,000 | 281,764 | 22 |
| 33 | Toledo, OH | $66,781 | $45,000 | 278,508 | 13 |
| 34 | Fresno, CA | $120,534 | $73,000 | 522,053 | 3 |
| 35 | Lexington, KY | $63,499 | $42,000 | 318,449 | 29 |
| 36 | Gilbert, AZ | $78,305 | $49,000 | 237,133 | 5 |
| 37 | Hialeah, FL | $58,825 | $38,000 | 236,387 | 9 |
| 38 | Stockton, CA | $119,859 | $73,000 | 307,072 | 2 |
| 39 | Fort Wayne, IN | $100,332 | $67,000 | 264,488 | 2 |
| 40 | Baltimore, MD | $82,926 | $56,000 | 614,664 | 98 |
| 41 | New York, NY | $76,203 | $52,000 | 8,537,673 | 127 |
| 42 | Riverside, CA | $115,646 | $71,000 | 324,722 | 4 |
| 43 | Long Beach, CA | $117,244 | $72,000 | 470,130 | 3 |
| 44 | Scottsdale, AZ | $78,566 | $49,000 | 246,645 | 17 |
| 45 | Minneapolis, MN | $82,971 | $55,000 | 413,651 | 30 |
| 46 | Henderson, NV | $78,113 | $48,000 | 292,969 | 2 |
| 47 | Greensboro, NC | $67,449 | $45,000 | 287,027 | 20 |
| 48 | Phoenix, AZ | $78,957 | $49,000 | 1,615,017 | 56 |
| 49 | Las Vegas, NV | $78,222 | $48,000 | 632,912 | 16 |
| 50 | Raleigh, NC | $67,766 | $45,000 | 458,880 | 62 |
Highest paying cities for research scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. research scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menlo Park, CA | $124,477 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $98,052 |
| 3 | Newark, NJ | $92,744 |
| 4 | Oak Ridge, TN | $91,185 |
| 5 | Newark, DE | $87,528 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $81,884 |
| 7 | Albany, OR | $81,025 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $80,225 |
| 9 | Albany, NY | $76,678 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $76,649 |
| 11 | Pittsburgh, PA | $76,389 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $74,316 |
| 13 | Milwaukee, WI | $72,316 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $70,511 |
| 15 | Durham, NC | $67,854 |
| 16 | Columbus, OH | $65,791 |
| 17 | Charlottesville, VA | $64,368 |
| 18 | Fort Collins, CO | $62,187 |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $53,796 |
| 20 | Saint Louis, MO | $51,658 |
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Updated January 8, 2025