Best cities for a research staff member
The best cities for research staff members are Nashville, TN, Gilbert, AZ, and Columbus, OH, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research staff members vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research staff members in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research staff member or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research staff members to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research staff members. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research staff member. While the absolute best city for research staff members is Nashville, TN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research staff members in 2024.
If you're looking for a research staff member job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research staff members in 2026
1. Nashville, TN
Total research staff member jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $111,612 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $161,000 Location quotient: 4.84 2. Gilbert, AZ
Total research staff member jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $111,156 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 52.46 3. Columbus, OH
Total research staff member jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $108,209 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Fort Wayne, IN
Total research staff member jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $135,249 Lowest 10 percent warn: $91,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $198,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Cincinnati, OH
Total research staff member jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $105,871 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $155,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Indianapolis, IN
Total research staff member jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $132,040 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $193,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Milwaukee, WI
Total research staff member jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $107,823 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $158,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Memphis, TN
Total research staff member jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $110,864 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Cleveland, OH
Total research staff member jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $110,703 Lowest 10 percent warn: $75,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $163,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Madison, WI
Total research staff member jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $107,383 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $157,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for research staff members
- Nashville, TN
- Gilbert, AZ
- Columbus, OH
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Cincinnati, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- Milwaukee, WI
- Memphis, TN
- Cleveland, OH
- Madison, WI
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Detailed list of the best cities for a research staff member
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville, TN | $111,612 | $77,000 | 660,388 | 2 |
| 2 | Gilbert, AZ | $111,156 | $77,000 | 237,133 | 2 |
| 3 | Columbus, OH | $108,209 | $73,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 4 | Fort Wayne, IN | $135,249 | $91,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 5 | Cincinnati, OH | $105,871 | $72,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $132,040 | $90,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | $107,823 | $73,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 8 | Memphis, TN | $110,864 | $76,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 9 | Cleveland, OH | $110,703 | $75,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 10 | Madison, WI | $107,383 | $73,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 11 | Scottsdale, AZ | $111,653 | $77,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $111,551 | $77,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $111,525 | $77,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 14 | Toledo, OH | $110,098 | $74,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 15 | San Jose, CA | $126,209 | $87,000 | 1,025,350 | 192 |
| 16 | Mesa, AZ | $111,267 | $77,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 17 | Chandler, AZ | $111,167 | $77,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 18 | Saint Paul, MN | $110,646 | $75,000 | 302,398 | 2 |
| 19 | Pittsburgh, PA | $99,160 | $67,000 | 303,625 | 14 |
| 20 | San Francisco, CA | $126,691 | $87,000 | 870,887 | 8 |
| 21 | Anchorage, AK | $115,730 | $87,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 22 | Detroit, MI | $100,959 | $68,000 | 672,795 | 2 |
| 23 | Jersey City, NJ | $123,608 | $83,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 24 | Newark, NJ | $123,578 | $83,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 25 | Reno, NV | $105,989 | $73,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 26 | Tucson, AZ | $109,691 | $76,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 27 | Minneapolis, MN | $110,634 | $75,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 28 | Oakland, CA | $126,588 | $87,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 29 | Fremont, CA | $126,382 | $87,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 30 | Sacramento, CA | $126,362 | $87,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 31 | Philadelphia, PA | $101,059 | $68,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 32 | Stockton, CA | $126,192 | $87,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 33 | Boston, MA | $107,735 | $72,000 | 673,184 | 5 |
| 34 | Seattle, WA | $105,026 | $73,000 | 704,352 | 6 |
| 35 | Las Vegas, NV | $101,260 | $69,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 36 | North Las Vegas, NV | $101,255 | $69,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 37 | Henderson, NV | $100,680 | $69,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 38 | Bakersfield, CA | $120,814 | $83,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 39 | Fresno, CA | $124,636 | $85,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 40 | Baltimore, MD | $113,957 | $77,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 41 | Denver, CO | $104,124 | $72,000 | 693,060 | 4 |
| 42 | Oklahoma City, OK | $93,912 | $65,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 43 | Lexington, KY | $92,074 | $63,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 44 | Louisville, KY | $91,634 | $62,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 45 | Colorado Springs, CO | $104,783 | $72,000 | 465,101 | - |
| 46 | Los Angeles, CA | $116,431 | $80,000 | 3,976,322 | 2 |
| 47 | Tulsa, OK | $92,135 | $63,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 48 | Aurora, CO | $104,077 | $72,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 49 | Long Beach, CA | $115,763 | $80,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 50 | Anaheim, CA | $115,763 | $80,000 | 351,043 | - |
Highest paying cities for research staff members
| Rank | City | Avg. research staff member salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $126,691 |
| 2 | Bethesda, MD | $113,270 |
| 3 | Knoxville, TN | $112,258 |
| 4 | Gilbert, AZ | $111,156 |
| 5 | Albany, NY | $108,981 |
| 6 | Andover, MA | $107,885 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $105,026 |
| 8 | Warren, MI | $101,093 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh, PA | $99,160 |
| 10 | Arlington, VA | $97,091 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $96,845 |
| 12 | Morrisville, NC | $90,478 |
| 13 | Richardson, TX | $87,378 |
| 14 | Saint Louis, MO | $78,168 |
| 15 | Lincoln, NE | $76,473 |
| 16 | Salt Lake City, UT | $66,583 |
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Updated January 8, 2025