Best cities for a senior engineer
The best cities for senior engineers are Phoenix, AZ, San Francisco, CA, and San Jose, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior engineer. While the absolute best city for senior engineers is Phoenix, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior engineers in 2025
1. Phoenix, AZ
Senior engineer jobs in PhoenixTotal senior engineer jobs: 115 Average annual salary: $118,050 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location quotient: 8.19 2. San Francisco, CA
Senior engineer jobs in San FranciscoTotal senior engineer jobs: 44 Average annual salary: $138,872 Lowest 10 percent warn: $100,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $191,000 Location quotient: 6.73 3. San Jose, CA
Senior engineer jobs in San JoseTotal senior engineer jobs: 246 Average annual salary: $138,761 Lowest 10 percent warn: $100,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $191,000 Location quotient: 6.57 4. Seattle, WA
Senior engineer jobs in SeattleTotal senior engineer jobs: 228 Average annual salary: $128,657 Lowest 10 percent warn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $175,000 Location quotient: 3.21 5. Gilbert, AZ
Senior engineer jobs in GilbertTotal senior engineer jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $117,707 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location quotient: 2.88 6. Fremont, CA
Senior engineer jobs in FremontTotal senior engineer jobs: 200 Average annual salary: $138,678 Lowest 10 percent warn: $100,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $191,000 Location quotient: 3.64 7. Chandler, AZ
Senior engineer jobs in ChandlerTotal senior engineer jobs: 68 Average annual salary: $117,772 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location quotient: 2.51 8. Oakland, CA
Senior engineer jobs in OaklandTotal senior engineer jobs: 79 Average annual salary: $138,685 Lowest 10 percent warn: $100,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $191,000 Location quotient: 3.03 9. Austin, TX
Senior engineer jobs in AustinTotal senior engineer jobs: 193 Average annual salary: $105,476 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $141,000 Location quotient: 5.27 10. Houston, TX
Senior engineer jobs in HoustonTotal senior engineer jobs: 66 Average annual salary: $104,846 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $141,000 Location quotient: 3.56
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Best cities for senior engineers
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Gilbert, AZ
- Fremont, CA
- Chandler, AZ
- Oakland, CA
- Austin, TX
- Houston, TX
Detailed list of the best cities for a senior engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix, AZ | $118,050 | $87,000 | 1,615,017 | 115 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $138,872 | $100,000 | 870,887 | 44 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $138,761 | $100,000 | 1,025,350 | 246 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $128,657 | $94,000 | 704,352 | 228 |
| 5 | Gilbert, AZ | $117,707 | $87,000 | 237,133 | 19 |
| 6 | Fremont, CA | $138,678 | $100,000 | 233,136 | 200 |
| 7 | Chandler, AZ | $117,772 | $87,000 | 247,477 | 68 |
| 8 | Oakland, CA | $138,685 | $100,000 | 420,005 | 79 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $105,476 | $78,000 | 947,890 | 193 |
| 10 | Houston, TX | $104,846 | $77,000 | 2,303,482 | 66 |
| 11 | Irvine, CA | $125,102 | $92,000 | 266,122 | 104 |
| 12 | Long Beach, CA | $125,800 | $92,000 | 470,130 | 52 |
| 13 | San Diego, CA | $122,919 | $90,000 | 1,406,630 | 51 |
| 14 | Scottsdale, AZ | $117,917 | $87,000 | 246,645 | 43 |
| 15 | Henderson, NV | $106,584 | $77,000 | 292,969 | 15 |
| 16 | Sacramento, CA | $136,856 | $99,000 | 495,234 | 100 |
| 17 | Plano, TX | $102,098 | $76,000 | 286,057 | 216 |
| 18 | Los Angeles, CA | $126,883 | $93,000 | 3,976,322 | 9 |
| 19 | Dallas, TX | $102,610 | $76,000 | 1,317,929 | 90 |
| 20 | Boston, MA | $109,190 | $83,000 | 673,184 | 30 |
| 21 | Nashville, TN | $95,601 | $72,000 | 660,388 | 136 |
| 22 | Portland, OR | $114,031 | $83,000 | 639,863 | 155 |
| 23 | Las Vegas, NV | $107,269 | $78,000 | 632,912 | 97 |
| 24 | Fort Worth, TX | $102,946 | $76,000 | 854,113 | 76 |
| 25 | Chicago, IL | $98,649 | $75,000 | 2,704,958 | 246 |
| 26 | Tucson, AZ | $116,845 | $86,000 | 530,706 | 32 |
| 27 | Minneapolis, MN | $94,658 | $73,000 | 413,651 | 110 |
| 28 | New Orleans, LA | $102,486 | $76,000 | 391,495 | 39 |
| 29 | Raleigh, NC | $89,291 | $67,000 | 458,880 | 12 |
| 30 | Irving, TX | $102,586 | $76,000 | 238,289 | 174 |
| 31 | Pittsburgh, PA | $90,855 | $69,000 | 303,625 | 189 |
| 32 | Santa Ana, CA | $125,380 | $92,000 | 334,217 | 24 |
| 33 | Mesa, AZ | $117,717 | $87,000 | 484,587 | 7 |
| 34 | Albuquerque, NM | $109,084 | $80,000 | 559,277 | 37 |
| 35 | Glendale, AZ | $118,109 | $87,000 | 245,895 | 2 |
| 36 | Atlanta, GA | $94,639 | $71,000 | 472,522 | 39 |
| 37 | Reno, NV | $108,755 | $78,000 | 245,255 | 18 |
| 38 | Oklahoma City, OK | $94,822 | $71,000 | 638,367 | 98 |
| 39 | Philadelphia, PA | $93,536 | $71,000 | 1,567,872 | 239 |
| 40 | Arlington, TX | $102,872 | $76,000 | 392,772 | 16 |
| 41 | San Antonio, TX | $105,938 | $78,000 | 1,492,510 | 74 |
| 42 | Milwaukee, WI | $88,790 | $68,000 | 595,047 | 126 |
| 43 | Lincoln, NE | $89,404 | $67,000 | 280,364 | 68 |
| 44 | Greensboro, NC | $88,990 | $67,000 | 287,027 | 58 |
| 45 | Norfolk, VA | $100,076 | $75,000 | 245,115 | 115 |
| 46 | Detroit, MI | $92,837 | $71,000 | 672,795 | 95 |
| 47 | North Las Vegas, NV | $107,077 | $77,000 | 238,702 | 2 |
| 48 | New York, NY | $106,579 | $81,000 | 8,537,673 | 134 |
| 49 | Chula Vista, CA | $122,665 | $90,000 | 267,172 | 6 |
| 50 | Denver, CO | $100,547 | $75,000 | 693,060 | 14 |
Highest paying cities for senior engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. senior engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Mateo, CA | $138,997 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $128,657 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $118,050 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $116,661 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $114,031 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $109,190 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $106,579 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $105,476 |
| 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | $102,054 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $100,547 |
| 11 | McLean, VA | $100,514 |
| 12 | Portland, ME | $99,650 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $98,649 |
| 14 | Columbus, GA | $94,926 |
| 15 | Brooklyn Park, MN | $94,693 |
| 16 | Philadelphia, PA | $93,536 |
| 17 | Washington, MI | $92,995 |
| 18 | Miami, FL | $92,718 |
| 19 | Bellevue, NE | $89,396 |
| 20 | Raleigh, NC | $89,291 |
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Updated January 8, 2025