Best cities for a research writer
The best cities for research writers are Pittsburgh, PA, Detroit, MI, and Philadelphia, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research writers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research writers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research writer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research writers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research writers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research writer. While the absolute best city for research writers is Pittsburgh, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research writers in 2024.
If you're looking for a research writer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research writers in 2025
1. Pittsburgh, PA
Total research writer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $58,233 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location quotient: 8.39 2. Detroit, MI
Total research writer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $62,901 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Philadelphia, PA
Total research writer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $60,594 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $102,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Washington, DC
Total research writer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $87,812 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $149,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Virginia Beach, VA
Total research writer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,165 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Norfolk, VA
Total research writer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,035 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Cleveland, OH
Total research writer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $56,165 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Chesapeake, VA
Total research writer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $72,679 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Durham, NC
Total research writer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $57,892 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Toledo, OH
Total research writer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,736 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for research writers
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
- Washington, DC
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Norfolk, VA
- Cleveland, OH
- Chesapeake, VA
- Durham, NC
- Toledo, OH
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Detailed list of the best cities for a research writer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh, PA | $58,233 | $34,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 2 | Detroit, MI | $62,901 | $37,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $60,594 | $35,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $87,812 | $51,000 | 681,170 | - |
| 5 | Virginia Beach, VA | $73,165 | $42,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 6 | Norfolk, VA | $73,035 | $42,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 7 | Cleveland, OH | $56,165 | $33,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 8 | Chesapeake, VA | $72,679 | $42,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 9 | Durham, NC | $57,892 | $33,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 10 | Toledo, OH | $54,736 | $32,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 11 | Raleigh, NC | $57,814 | $33,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $59,835 | $36,000 | 1,615,017 | 1 |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $59,846 | $36,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 14 | Baltimore, MD | $70,814 | $41,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 15 | Scottsdale, AZ | $59,814 | $36,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 16 | Mesa, AZ | $59,669 | $36,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 17 | Boston, MA | $65,283 | $40,000 | 673,184 | 1 |
| 18 | Chandler, AZ | $59,658 | $36,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 19 | Gilbert, AZ | $59,637 | $36,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 20 | Tucson, AZ | $58,935 | $35,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 21 | Greensboro, NC | $56,979 | $33,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 22 | Winston-Salem, NC | $56,520 | $33,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 23 | Cincinnati, OH | $50,835 | $30,000 | 298,800 | 2 |
| 24 | Chicago, IL | $56,397 | $34,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 25 | Jersey City, NJ | $63,819 | $38,000 | 264,152 | 1 |
| 26 | Charlotte, NC | $54,620 | $32,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 27 | Milwaukee, WI | $52,404 | $32,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 28 | Columbus, OH | $53,357 | $31,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 29 | Madison, WI | $51,719 | $32,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 30 | Newark, NJ | $63,778 | $38,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 31 | Saint Paul, MN | $53,324 | $34,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 32 | San Francisco, CA | $64,438 | $37,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 33 | Oakland, CA | $64,286 | $37,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 34 | Minneapolis, MN | $53,293 | $34,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 35 | Fremont, CA | $64,116 | $37,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 36 | San Jose, CA | $64,043 | $37,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 37 | Stockton, CA | $63,568 | $37,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 38 | New York, NY | $59,251 | $35,000 | 8,537,673 | 12 |
| 39 | Sacramento, CA | $63,376 | $37,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 40 | Islip, NY | $59,420 | $35,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 41 | Brookhaven, NY | $59,410 | $35,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 42 | Hempstead, NY | $59,349 | $35,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 43 | Oyster Bay, NY | $59,315 | $35,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 44 | Seattle, WA | $55,132 | $34,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 45 | Reno, NV | $50,101 | $29,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 46 | Fresno, CA | $62,473 | $36,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 47 | Memphis, TN | $44,979 | $27,000 | 652,717 | 1 |
| 48 | Buffalo, NY | $56,810 | $34,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 49 | Portland, OR | $54,024 | $33,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 50 | Lubbock, TX | $49,249 | $29,000 | 252,506 | - |
Highest paying cities for research writers
| Rank | City | Avg. research writer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brookline, MA | $65,300 |
| 2 | Redwood City, CA | $64,335 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $59,251 |
| 4 | Chapel Hill, NC | $57,618 |
| 5 | Madison, WI | $51,719 |
| 6 | Cincinnati, OH | $50,835 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $48,576 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $48,192 |
| 9 | Memphis, TN | $44,979 |