Best cities for a research scientist lead
The best cities for research scientist leads are San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA, and Fremont, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research scientist leads vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research scientist leads in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research scientist lead or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research scientist leads to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research scientist leads. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research scientist lead. While the absolute best city for research scientist leads is San Francisco, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research scientist leads in 2024.
If you're looking for a research scientist lead job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research scientist leads in 2025
1. San Francisco, CA
Total research scientist lead jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $152,220 Lowest 10 percent warn: $93,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $248,000 Location quotient: 3.81 2. Oakland, CA
Total research scientist lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $151,759 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $247,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Fremont, CA
Total research scientist lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $151,266 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $247,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. San Jose, CA
Total research scientist lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $151,076 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $246,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Stockton, CA
Total research scientist lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $149,375 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $245,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Sacramento, CA
Total research scientist lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $148,336 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $244,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Fresno, CA
Total research scientist lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $146,497 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $240,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Las Vegas, NV
Total research scientist lead jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $106,599 Lowest 10 percent warn: $63,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 8.08 9. Bakersfield, CA
Total research scientist lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $144,294 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $235,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Anchorage, AK
Total research scientist lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $121,683 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $192,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for research scientist leads
- San Francisco, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Fremont, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Stockton, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Bakersfield, CA
- Anchorage, AK
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Detailed list of the best cities for a research scientist lead
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $152,220 | $93,000 | 870,887 | 2 |
| 2 | Oakland, CA | $151,759 | $92,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 3 | Fremont, CA | $151,266 | $92,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $151,076 | $92,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 5 | Stockton, CA | $149,375 | $90,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $148,336 | $90,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 7 | Fresno, CA | $146,497 | $89,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $106,599 | $63,000 | 632,912 | 1 |
| 9 | Bakersfield, CA | $144,294 | $88,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 10 | Anchorage, AK | $121,683 | $77,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 11 | Los Angeles, CA | $138,602 | $84,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 12 | Long Beach, CA | $136,797 | $83,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 13 | Anaheim, CA | $136,435 | $83,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 14 | Santa Ana, CA | $135,827 | $82,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 15 | Riverside, CA | $135,567 | $82,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 16 | Irvine, CA | $135,215 | $82,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 17 | Reno, NV | $108,710 | $65,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 18 | Henderson, NV | $106,277 | $63,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 19 | North Las Vegas, NV | $106,125 | $63,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 20 | San Diego, CA | $128,734 | $78,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 21 | Saint Paul, MN | $104,653 | $68,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 22 | Chula Vista, CA | $127,660 | $77,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 23 | Minneapolis, MN | $104,637 | $68,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 24 | Jersey City, NJ | $113,388 | $78,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 25 | Fort Wayne, IN | $94,374 | $62,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 26 | Newark, NJ | $113,312 | $78,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 27 | Indianapolis, IN | $90,657 | $59,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 28 | Detroit, MI | $88,865 | $59,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 29 | Philadelphia, PA | $90,608 | $62,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 30 | Phoenix, AZ | $88,246 | $52,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 31 | Memphis, TN | $84,315 | $53,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 32 | Scottsdale, AZ | $88,209 | $52,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 33 | Nashville, TN | $85,497 | $55,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 34 | Portland, OR | $95,675 | $57,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 35 | Glendale, AZ | $88,304 | $53,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 36 | Pittsburgh, PA | $86,971 | $58,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 37 | Seattle, WA | $94,519 | $57,000 | 704,352 | 3 |
| 38 | Cleveland, OH | $80,219 | $53,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 39 | Brookhaven, NY | $100,056 | $69,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 40 | Islip, NY | $99,857 | $69,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 41 | Oyster Bay, NY | $99,660 | $69,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 42 | Hempstead, NY | $99,552 | $68,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 43 | New York, NY | $99,337 | $68,000 | 8,537,673 | 3 |
| 44 | Mesa, AZ | $87,138 | $52,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 45 | Chandler, AZ | $87,071 | $52,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 46 | Toledo, OH | $79,216 | $52,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 47 | Gilbert, AZ | $86,936 | $52,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 48 | Columbus, OH | $77,795 | $51,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 49 | Milwaukee, WI | $79,329 | $52,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 50 | Tucson, AZ | $84,627 | $51,000 | 530,706 | - |
Highest paying cities for research scientist leads
| Rank | City | Avg. research scientist lead salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $152,220 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $99,337 |
| 3 | Olympia, WA | $95,062 |
| 4 | Cambridge, MA | $91,969 |
| 5 | Kalamazoo, MI | $87,283 |
| 6 | Annapolis, MD | $87,082 |
| 7 | Memphis, TN | $84,315 |
| 8 | Neenah, WI | $80,400 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $78,119 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $71,694 |
| 11 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $68,033 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $64,855 |
| 13 | Birmingham, AL | $62,937 |
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Updated January 8, 2025