Best cities for a scientific director
The best cities for scientific directors are Pittsburgh, PA, Indianapolis, IN, and Saint Paul, MN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for scientific directors vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for scientific directors in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a scientific director or considering a move, this list of the best cities for scientific directors to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for scientific directors. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a scientific director. While the absolute best city for scientific directors is Pittsburgh, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for scientific directors in 2024.
If you're looking for a scientific director job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for scientific directors in 2026
1. Pittsburgh, PA
Total scientific director jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $129,489 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $213,000 Location quotient: 1.69 2. Indianapolis, IN
Total scientific director jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $136,136 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $225,000 Location quotient: 0.91 3. Saint Paul, MN
Total scientific director jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $127,800 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $214,000 Location quotient: 1.33 4. Sacramento, CA
Total scientific director jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $145,021 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $234,000 Location quotient: 1.22 5. Nashville, TN
Total scientific director jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $156,066 Lowest 10 percent warn: $95,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $256,000 Location quotient: 0.58 6. Newark, NJ
Total scientific director jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $134,066 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $220,000 Location quotient: 0.88 7. Philadelphia, PA
Total scientific director jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $130,964 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $214,000 Location quotient: 0.42 8. Phoenix, AZ
Total scientific director jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $119,650 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $193,000 Location quotient: 0.49 9. Tucson, AZ
Total scientific director jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $116,293 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $187,000 Location quotient: 1.80 10. Minneapolis, MN
Total scientific director jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $127,730 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $214,000 Location quotient: 0.27
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Best cities for scientific directors
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Saint Paul, MN
- Sacramento, CA
- Nashville, TN
- Newark, NJ
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Tucson, AZ
- Minneapolis, MN
- (10 scientific director jobs)
- (7 scientific director jobs)
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- (5 scientific director jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a scientific director
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh, PA | $129,489 | $78,000 | 303,625 | 10 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $136,136 | $82,000 | 855,164 | 7 |
| 3 | Saint Paul, MN | $127,800 | $76,000 | 302,398 | 5 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $145,021 | $89,000 | 495,234 | 5 |
| 5 | Nashville, TN | $156,066 | $95,000 | 660,388 | 3 |
| 6 | Newark, NJ | $134,066 | $81,000 | 281,764 | 2 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $130,964 | $79,000 | 1,567,872 | 4 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $119,650 | $73,000 | 1,615,017 | 6 |
| 9 | Tucson, AZ | $116,293 | $72,000 | 530,706 | 4 |
| 10 | Minneapolis, MN | $127,730 | $76,000 | 413,651 | 2 |
| 11 | San Francisco, CA | $144,666 | $89,000 | 870,887 | 6 |
| 12 | Boston, MA | $127,037 | $76,000 | 673,184 | 17 |
| 13 | Fort Wayne, IN | $139,634 | $84,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 14 | Las Vegas, NV | $120,306 | $74,000 | 632,912 | 1 |
| 15 | Memphis, TN | $154,456 | $93,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 16 | San Diego, CA | $132,870 | $82,000 | 1,406,630 | 16 |
| 17 | Reno, NV | $125,086 | $77,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 18 | North Las Vegas, NV | $120,314 | $74,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 19 | Henderson, NV | $119,900 | $73,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 20 | Anchorage, AK | $130,041 | $82,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 21 | Oakland, CA | $144,568 | $89,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 22 | Scottsdale, AZ | $119,808 | $74,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 23 | Stockton, CA | $144,409 | $89,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 24 | Jersey City, NJ | $134,076 | $81,000 | 264,152 | 1 |
| 25 | Glendale, AZ | $119,613 | $73,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 26 | Oklahoma City, OK | $100,569 | $61,000 | 638,367 | 3 |
| 27 | Fremont, CA | $144,193 | $89,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 28 | Columbus, OH | $106,062 | $64,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 29 | San Jose, CA | $143,870 | $89,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 30 | Irvine, CA | $135,548 | $83,000 | 266,122 | 3 |
| 31 | Baltimore, MD | $124,213 | $75,000 | 614,664 | 5 |
| 32 | Mesa, AZ | $119,130 | $73,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 33 | Portland, OR | $111,654 | $68,000 | 639,863 | 4 |
| 34 | Cincinnati, OH | $103,764 | $63,000 | 298,800 | 2 |
| 35 | Chandler, AZ | $118,963 | $73,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 36 | Los Angeles, CA | $136,687 | $84,000 | 3,976,322 | 5 |
| 37 | Gilbert, AZ | $118,938 | $73,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 38 | Chicago, IL | $118,251 | $70,000 | 2,704,958 | 5 |
| 39 | Raleigh, NC | $100,806 | $62,000 | 458,880 | 3 |
| 40 | Cleveland, OH | $108,158 | $65,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 41 | Detroit, MI | $110,781 | $66,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 42 | Toledo, OH | $107,648 | $64,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 43 | Fresno, CA | $142,304 | $87,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 44 | New York, NY | $112,782 | $68,000 | 8,537,673 | 40 |
| 45 | Lincoln, NE | $92,595 | $55,000 | 280,364 | 3 |
| 46 | Louisville, KY | $93,348 | $56,000 | 597,337 | 2 |
| 47 | Bakersfield, CA | $139,532 | $86,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 48 | Riverside, CA | $136,059 | $84,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 49 | Anaheim, CA | $136,007 | $84,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 50 | Long Beach, CA | $135,965 | $84,000 | 470,130 | - |
Highest paying cities for scientific directors
| Rank | City | Avg. scientific director salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $145,021 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $136,136 |
| 3 | Paramus, NJ | $134,174 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $130,964 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $127,730 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $127,037 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $124,213 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $121,316 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $118,251 |
| 10 | Tucson, AZ | $116,293 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $116,075 |
| 12 | New York, NY | $112,782 |
| 13 | Portland, OR | $111,654 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $110,781 |
| 15 | Arlington, VA | $109,445 |
| 16 | Akron, OH | $107,945 |
| 17 | Madison, WI | $104,302 |
| 18 | Durham, NC | $100,864 |
| 19 | Jacksonville, FL | $99,174 |
| 20 | Austin, TX | $92,325 |
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Updated January 8, 2025