Best cities for a senior computer scientist
The best cities for senior computer scientists are Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA, and San Jose, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior computer scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior computer scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior computer scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior computer scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior computer scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior computer scientist. While the absolute best city for senior computer scientists is Seattle, WA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior computer scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior computer scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior computer scientists in 2026
1. Seattle, WA
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $173,760 Lowest 10 percent warn: $124,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $242,000 Location quotient: 7.24 2. San Francisco, CA
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 46 Average annual salary: $169,933 Lowest 10 percent warn: $122,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $235,000 Location quotient: 18.76 3. San Jose, CA
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 49 Average annual salary: $168,975 Lowest 10 percent warn: $121,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $234,000 Location quotient: 28.21 4. Fremont, CA
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $169,212 Lowest 10 percent warn: $121,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $234,000 Location quotient: 4.05 5. Portland, OR
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $162,429 Lowest 10 percent warn: $116,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $226,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Anchorage, AK
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $157,849 Lowest 10 percent warn: $120,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $206,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Oakland, CA
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $169,658 Lowest 10 percent warn: $122,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $235,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Nashville, TN
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $125,861 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $170,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Toledo, OH
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $123,899 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $168,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Sacramento, CA
Total senior computer scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $168,948 Lowest 10 percent warn: $121,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $234,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for senior computer scientists
- Seattle, WA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Portland, OR
- Anchorage, AK
- Oakland, CA
- Nashville, TN
- Toledo, OH
- Sacramento, CA
- (15 senior computer scientist jobs)
- (46 senior computer scientist jobs)
- (49 senior computer scientist jobs)
- (2 senior computer scientist jobs)
- (0 senior computer scientist jobs)
- (0 senior computer scientist jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a senior computer scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $173,760 | $124,000 | 704,352 | 15 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $169,933 | $122,000 | 870,887 | 46 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $168,975 | $121,000 | 1,025,350 | 49 |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $169,212 | $121,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $162,429 | $116,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 6 | Anchorage, AK | $157,849 | $120,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 7 | Oakland, CA | $169,658 | $122,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 8 | Nashville, TN | $125,861 | $92,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 9 | Toledo, OH | $123,899 | $90,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 10 | Sacramento, CA | $168,948 | $121,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 11 | Memphis, TN | $125,650 | $92,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 12 | Stockton, CA | $168,567 | $121,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 13 | Reno, NV | $134,432 | $96,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 14 | Cleveland, OH | $125,565 | $91,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $122,308 | $89,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 16 | Los Angeles, CA | $162,055 | $116,000 | 3,976,322 | 4 |
| 17 | Philadelphia, PA | $125,087 | $90,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 18 | Fresno, CA | $166,217 | $119,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 19 | Bakersfield, CA | $164,244 | $118,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 20 | San Diego, CA | $158,669 | $114,000 | 1,406,630 | 9 |
| 21 | San Antonio, TX | $124,901 | $90,000 | 1,492,510 | 2 |
| 22 | Long Beach, CA | $161,477 | $116,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 23 | Anaheim, CA | $161,209 | $115,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 24 | Santa Ana, CA | $161,039 | $115,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 25 | Irvine, CA | $160,824 | $115,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 26 | Las Vegas, NV | $128,972 | $92,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 27 | Riverside, CA | $160,628 | $115,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 28 | North Las Vegas, NV | $128,790 | $92,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 29 | Henderson, NV | $128,571 | $92,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 30 | El Paso, TX | $128,429 | $92,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 31 | Laredo, TX | $125,000 | $90,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 32 | Lubbock, TX | $124,691 | $90,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 33 | Pittsburgh, PA | $122,994 | $89,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 34 | Austin, TX | $124,543 | $90,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 35 | Corpus Christi, TX | $124,075 | $90,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 36 | Glendale, AZ | $126,204 | $90,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 37 | Cincinnati, OH | $119,365 | $87,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 38 | Louisville, KY | $118,456 | $86,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 39 | Houston, TX | $123,309 | $89,000 | 2,303,482 | 6 |
| 40 | Chula Vista, CA | $158,297 | $113,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 41 | Lexington, KY | $119,268 | $87,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 42 | Phoenix, AZ | $126,128 | $90,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 43 | Scottsdale, AZ | $125,979 | $90,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 44 | Fort Wayne, IN | $117,191 | $86,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 45 | Chandler, AZ | $125,581 | $90,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 46 | Tucson, AZ | $124,019 | $89,000 | 530,706 | 2 |
| 47 | Irving, TX | $122,365 | $89,000 | 238,289 | 3 |
| 48 | Mesa, AZ | $125,537 | $90,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 49 | Albuquerque, NM | $121,397 | $87,000 | 559,277 | 3 |
| 50 | Gilbert, AZ | $125,485 | $90,000 | 237,133 | - |
Highest paying cities for senior computer scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. senior computer scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $173,760 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $169,933 |
| 3 | Hillsboro, OR | $162,827 |
| 4 | Arlington, VA | $133,411 |
| 5 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $131,367 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $128,036 |
| 7 | Annapolis, MD | $126,499 |
| 8 | Lehi, UT | $125,990 |
| 9 | Jersey City, NJ | $125,262 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $124,901 |
| 11 | Erie, PA | $123,886 |
| 12 | Albuquerque, NM | $121,397 |
| 13 | New York, NY | $121,015 |
| 14 | Boulder, CO | $118,852 |
| 15 | Boston, MA | $117,096 |
| 16 | Charlotte, NC | $116,456 |
| 17 | West Lafayette, IN | $114,765 |
| 18 | Jacksonville, FL | $110,918 |
| 19 | Saint Louis, MO | $108,886 |
| 20 | North Chicago, IL | $107,850 |
Senior computer scientist best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025