Best cities for a senior principal scientist
The best cities for senior principal scientists are Indianapolis, IN, Nashville, TN, and Fort Wayne, IN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior principal scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior principal scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior principal scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior principal scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior principal scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior principal scientist. While the absolute best city for senior principal scientists is Indianapolis, IN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior principal scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior principal scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior principal scientists in 2025
1. Indianapolis, IN
Senior principal scientist jobs in IndianapolisTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $121,398 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $172,000 Location quotient: 1.22 2. Nashville, TN
Senior principal scientist jobs in NashvilleTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $141,165 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 0.70 3. Fort Wayne, IN
Senior principal scientist jobs in Fort WayneTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $123,024 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 0.63 4. San Francisco, CA
Senior principal scientist jobs in San FranciscoTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 26 Average annual salary: $149,653 Lowest 10 percent warn: $99,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $225,000 Location quotient: 0.96 5. Las Vegas, NV
Senior principal scientist jobs in Las VegasTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $130,659 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $199,000 Location quotient: 0.47 6. Reno, NV
Senior principal scientist jobs in RenoTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $134,172 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $203,000 Location quotient: 0.49 7. Tucson, AZ
Senior principal scientist jobs in TucsonTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $121,497 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $187,000 Location quotient: 0.98 8. San Diego, CA
Senior principal scientist jobs in San DiegoTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 52 Average annual salary: $133,774 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 3.17 9. Phoenix, AZ
Senior principal scientist jobs in PhoenixTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $125,293 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $192,000 Location quotient: 0.41 10. Greensboro, NC
Senior principal scientist jobs in GreensboroTotal senior principal scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $102,527 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $146,000 Location quotient: 1.45
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Best cities for senior principal scientists
- Indianapolis, IN
- Nashville, TN
- Fort Wayne, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Reno, NV
- Tucson, AZ
- San Diego, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Greensboro, NC
- (13 senior principal scientist jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a senior principal scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis, IN | $121,398 | $85,000 | 855,164 | 13 |
| 2 | Nashville, TN | $141,165 | $97,000 | 660,388 | 5 |
| 3 | Fort Wayne, IN | $123,024 | $87,000 | 264,488 | 1 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $149,653 | $99,000 | 870,887 | 26 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $130,659 | $85,000 | 632,912 | 3 |
| 6 | Reno, NV | $134,172 | $88,000 | 245,255 | 1 |
| 7 | Tucson, AZ | $121,497 | $78,000 | 530,706 | 3 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | $133,774 | $87,000 | 1,406,630 | 52 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $125,293 | $81,000 | 1,615,017 | 7 |
| 10 | Greensboro, NC | $102,527 | $71,000 | 287,027 | 3 |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $115,603 | $83,000 | 673,184 | 22 |
| 12 | Laredo, TX | $94,448 | $60,000 | 257,156 | 1 |
| 13 | Sacramento, CA | $148,186 | $98,000 | 495,234 | 2 |
| 14 | Memphis, TN | $140,342 | $95,000 | 652,717 | 1 |
| 15 | San Jose, CA | $149,210 | $98,000 | 1,025,350 | 5 |
| 16 | Winston-Salem, NC | $102,396 | $71,000 | 242,203 | 1 |
| 17 | Toledo, OH | $94,750 | $67,000 | 278,508 | 1 |
| 18 | Irvine, CA | $138,441 | $90,000 | 266,122 | 3 |
| 19 | Chicago, IL | $121,037 | $85,000 | 2,704,958 | 7 |
| 20 | Seattle, WA | $109,769 | $73,000 | 704,352 | 18 |
| 21 | Raleigh, NC | $102,740 | $72,000 | 458,880 | 4 |
| 22 | Lubbock, TX | $94,748 | $61,000 | 252,506 | 1 |
| 23 | Jersey City, NJ | $127,556 | $91,000 | 264,152 | 3 |
| 24 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $101,709 | $66,000 | 260,999 | 1 |
| 25 | El Paso, TX | $96,937 | $62,000 | 683,080 | 1 |
| 26 | North Las Vegas, NV | $130,479 | $85,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 27 | Newark, NJ | $127,494 | $91,000 | 281,764 | 1 |
| 28 | Henderson, NV | $130,105 | $85,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 29 | Arlington, TX | $92,415 | $60,000 | 392,772 | 1 |
| 30 | Los Angeles, CA | $140,631 | $92,000 | 3,976,322 | 5 |
| 31 | Glendale, AZ | $125,336 | $81,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 32 | Scottsdale, AZ | $125,269 | $81,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 33 | Philadelphia, PA | $104,198 | $74,000 | 1,567,872 | 3 |
| 34 | Pittsburgh, PA | $101,724 | $72,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 35 | Albuquerque, NM | $93,319 | $60,000 | 559,277 | 2 |
| 36 | Mesa, AZ | $124,334 | $80,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 37 | Chandler, AZ | $124,246 | $80,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 38 | Gilbert, AZ | $124,135 | $80,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 39 | Fremont, CA | $149,249 | $98,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 40 | Durham, NC | $102,780 | $72,000 | 263,016 | 1 |
| 41 | Oakland, CA | $149,438 | $99,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 42 | Saint Paul, MN | $95,052 | $67,000 | 302,398 | 5 |
| 43 | Stockton, CA | $148,395 | $98,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 44 | Anchorage, AK | $128,903 | $90,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 45 | Cleveland, OH | $95,175 | $67,000 | 385,809 | 1 |
| 46 | Fresno, CA | $147,122 | $97,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 47 | Miami, FL | $101,367 | $65,000 | 453,579 | 3 |
| 48 | New Orleans, LA | $94,264 | $61,000 | 391,495 | 1 |
| 49 | Lincoln, NE | $86,299 | $59,000 | 280,364 | 3 |
| 50 | Bakersfield, CA | $144,786 | $95,000 | 376,380 | - |
Highest paying cities for senior principal scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. senior principal scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $149,653 |
| 2 | Rahway, NJ | $127,346 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $121,398 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $121,037 |
| 5 | Ridgefield, CT | $120,464 |
| 6 | Andover, MA | $115,660 |
| 7 | Dover, DE | $110,000 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $109,769 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $107,314 |
| 10 | New York, NY | $103,267 |
| 11 | Morrisville, NC | $102,705 |
| 12 | Annapolis, MD | $101,803 |
| 13 | Providence, RI | $99,058 |
| 14 | Saint Paul, MN | $95,052 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge, LA | $94,536 |
| 16 | Boulder, CO | $94,135 |
| 17 | Austin, TX | $93,914 |
| 18 | Concord, NH | $93,198 |
| 19 | Little Rock, AR | $91,073 |
| 20 | Columbia, MO | $86,575 |
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Updated January 8, 2025