Best cities for a senior leader
The best cities for senior leaders are Glendale, AZ, San Jose, CA, and Oakland, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior leaders vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior leaders in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior leader or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior leaders to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior leaders. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior leader. While the absolute best city for senior leaders is Glendale, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior leaders in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior leader job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior leaders in 2026
1. Glendale, AZ
Total senior leader jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $110,291 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 3.89 2. San Jose, CA
Total senior leader jobs: 146 Average annual salary: $135,538 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 3.15 3. Oakland, CA
Total senior leader jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $135,851 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 2.72 4. Gilbert, AZ
Total senior leader jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $109,901 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 3.16 5. Sacramento, CA
Total senior leader jobs: 43 Average annual salary: $133,678 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $203,000 Location quotient: 3.16 6. Chandler, AZ
Total senior leader jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $109,964 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 2.93 7. San Francisco, CA
Total senior leader jobs: 151 Average annual salary: $136,131 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 2.31 8. Islip, NY
Total senior leader jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $118,091 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 60.75 9. Phoenix, AZ
Total senior leader jobs: 76 Average annual salary: $110,237 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 1.86 10. Toledo, OH
Total senior leader jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $99,806 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 2.06
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Best cities for senior leaders
- Glendale, AZ
- San Jose, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Gilbert, AZ
- Sacramento, CA
- Chandler, AZ
- San Francisco, CA
- Islip, NY
- Phoenix, AZ
- Toledo, OH
- (7 senior leader jobs)
- (146 senior leader jobs)
- (17 senior leader jobs)
- (5 senior leader jobs)
- (43 senior leader jobs)
- (19 senior leader jobs)
- (151 senior leader jobs)
- (2 senior leader jobs)
- (76 senior leader jobs)
- (6 senior leader jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a senior leader
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glendale, AZ | $110,291 | $69,000 | 245,895 | 7 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $135,538 | $89,000 | 1,025,350 | 146 |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | $135,851 | $89,000 | 420,005 | 17 |
| 4 | Gilbert, AZ | $109,901 | $69,000 | 237,133 | 5 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $133,678 | $87,000 | 495,234 | 43 |
| 6 | Chandler, AZ | $109,964 | $69,000 | 247,477 | 19 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $136,131 | $89,000 | 870,887 | 151 |
| 8 | Islip, NY | $118,091 | $83,000 | 335,543 | 2 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $110,237 | $69,000 | 1,615,017 | 76 |
| 10 | Toledo, OH | $99,806 | $68,000 | 278,508 | 6 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $125,589 | $81,000 | 704,352 | 74 |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $100,248 | $69,000 | 385,809 | 16 |
| 13 | Raleigh, NC | $99,593 | $68,000 | 458,880 | 42 |
| 14 | San Antonio, TX | $100,558 | $62,000 | 1,492,510 | 58 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $98,996 | $68,000 | 860,090 | 52 |
| 16 | Long Beach, CA | $122,731 | $79,000 | 470,130 | 11 |
| 17 | Lubbock, TX | $100,296 | $61,000 | 252,506 | 5 |
| 18 | Irvine, CA | $122,043 | $79,000 | 266,122 | 58 |
| 19 | Charlotte, NC | $97,130 | $65,000 | 842,051 | 135 |
| 20 | Las Vegas, NV | $110,126 | $70,000 | 632,912 | 13 |
| 21 | Austin, TX | $100,377 | $61,000 | 947,890 | 95 |
| 22 | Fremont, CA | $135,622 | $89,000 | 233,136 | 13 |
| 23 | Boston, MA | $113,255 | $80,000 | 673,184 | 80 |
| 24 | Scottsdale, AZ | $110,123 | $69,000 | 246,645 | 7 |
| 25 | Lincoln, NE | $94,753 | $61,000 | 280,364 | 30 |
| 26 | Saint Paul, MN | $102,739 | $70,000 | 302,398 | 27 |
| 27 | Houston, TX | $99,080 | $60,000 | 2,303,482 | 148 |
| 28 | Philadelphia, PA | $103,312 | $72,000 | 1,567,872 | 31 |
| 29 | Minneapolis, MN | $102,701 | $69,000 | 413,651 | 48 |
| 30 | Chicago, IL | $100,779 | $68,000 | 2,704,958 | 171 |
| 31 | New York, NY | $117,728 | $82,000 | 8,537,673 | 69 |
| 32 | Durham, NC | $99,783 | $68,000 | 263,016 | 13 |
| 33 | Irving, TX | $95,884 | $58,000 | 238,289 | 66 |
| 34 | Cincinnati, OH | $97,536 | $66,000 | 298,800 | 16 |
| 35 | Nashville, TN | $91,307 | $59,000 | 660,388 | 35 |
| 36 | Anchorage, AK | $119,746 | $80,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 37 | Reno, NV | $112,401 | $73,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 38 | North Las Vegas, NV | $109,897 | $70,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 39 | Los Angeles, CA | $123,893 | $80,000 | 3,976,322 | 84 |
| 40 | Henderson, NV | $109,628 | $70,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 41 | New Orleans, LA | $98,557 | $60,000 | 391,495 | 9 |
| 42 | Dallas, TX | $96,010 | $58,000 | 1,317,929 | 89 |
| 43 | Bakersfield, CA | $128,580 | $83,000 | 376,380 | 2 |
| 44 | Tucson, AZ | $109,068 | $68,000 | 530,706 | 4 |
| 45 | Pittsburgh, PA | $101,332 | $70,000 | 303,625 | 11 |
| 46 | Mesa, AZ | $109,910 | $69,000 | 484,587 | 1 |
| 47 | Jersey City, NJ | $108,662 | $76,000 | 264,152 | 52 |
| 48 | Stockton, CA | $134,409 | $88,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 49 | Fresno, CA | $132,235 | $86,000 | 522,053 | 2 |
| 50 | Louisville, KY | $95,855 | $64,000 | 597,337 | 11 |
Highest paying cities for senior leaders
| Rank | City | Avg. senior leader salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $136,131 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $125,589 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $117,728 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $115,385 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $113,255 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $110,237 |
| 7 | Jersey City, NJ | $108,662 |
| 8 | Arlington, VA | $105,952 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $103,312 |
| 10 | Hartford, CT | $103,278 |
| 11 | Hillsboro, OR | $103,016 |
| 12 | Minneapolis, MN | $102,701 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $100,779 |
| 14 | San Antonio, TX | $100,558 |
| 15 | Raleigh, NC | $99,593 |
| 16 | Columbus, OH | $98,996 |
| 17 | Alpharetta, GA | $93,431 |
| 18 | Denver, CO | $93,045 |
| 19 | Saint Louis, MO | $92,086 |
| 20 | Warren, MI | $91,557 |
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Updated January 8, 2025