Best cities for a senior programmer
The best cities for senior programmers are Raleigh, NC, Durham, NC, and Pittsburgh, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior programmers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior programmers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior programmer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior programmers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior programmers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior programmer. While the absolute best city for senior programmers is Raleigh, NC, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior programmers in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior programmer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior programmers in 2025
1. Raleigh, NC
Senior programmer jobs in RaleighTotal senior programmer jobs: 70 Average annual salary: $106,450 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $143,000 Location quotient: 23.42 2. Durham, NC
Senior programmer jobs in DurhamTotal senior programmer jobs: 121 Average annual salary: $106,296 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $142,000 Location quotient: 64.84 3. Pittsburgh, PA
Senior programmer jobs in PittsburghTotal senior programmer jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $103,521 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $138,000 Location quotient: 4.33 4. Boston, MA
Senior programmer jobs in BostonTotal senior programmer jobs: 102 Average annual salary: $105,150 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $138,000 Location quotient: 12.43 5. Fremont, CA
Senior programmer jobs in FremontTotal senior programmer jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $126,776 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 4.33 6. Nashville, TN
Senior programmer jobs in NashvilleTotal senior programmer jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $91,073 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $122,000 Location quotient: 8.31 7. Sacramento, CA
Senior programmer jobs in SacramentoTotal senior programmer jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $125,230 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $175,000 Location quotient: 5.85 8. Fresno, CA
Senior programmer jobs in FresnoTotal senior programmer jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $124,204 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 7.79 9. San Francisco, CA
Senior programmer jobs in San FranciscoTotal senior programmer jobs: 41 Average annual salary: $127,090 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 3.57 10. Memphis, TN
Senior programmer jobs in MemphisTotal senior programmer jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $89,347 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $120,000 Location quotient: 6.17
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Best cities for senior programmers
- Raleigh, NC
- Durham, NC
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Boston, MA
- Fremont, CA
- Nashville, TN
- Sacramento, CA
- Fresno, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Memphis, TN
Detailed list of the best cities for a senior programmer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh, NC | $106,450 | $79,000 | 458,880 | 70 |
| 2 | Durham, NC | $106,296 | $79,000 | 263,016 | 121 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $103,521 | $77,000 | 303,625 | 15 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $105,150 | $79,000 | 673,184 | 102 |
| 5 | Fremont, CA | $126,776 | $90,000 | 233,136 | 10 |
| 6 | Nashville, TN | $91,073 | $67,000 | 660,388 | 25 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $125,230 | $89,000 | 495,234 | 14 |
| 8 | Fresno, CA | $124,204 | $88,000 | 522,053 | 5 |
| 9 | San Francisco, CA | $127,090 | $90,000 | 870,887 | 41 |
| 10 | Memphis, TN | $89,347 | $66,000 | 652,717 | 14 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $107,185 | $80,000 | 1,567,872 | 14 |
| 12 | Austin, TX | $94,067 | $67,000 | 947,890 | 77 |
| 13 | Irving, TX | $94,029 | $68,000 | 238,289 | 31 |
| 14 | Indianapolis, IN | $96,278 | $71,000 | 855,164 | 18 |
| 15 | Fort Worth, TX | $94,181 | $68,000 | 854,113 | 10 |
| 16 | Seattle, WA | $112,528 | $81,000 | 704,352 | 35 |
| 17 | Las Vegas, NV | $101,371 | $72,000 | 632,912 | 8 |
| 18 | El Paso, TX | $96,454 | $69,000 | 683,080 | 3 |
| 19 | Plano, TX | $93,741 | $68,000 | 286,057 | 22 |
| 20 | Irvine, CA | $110,514 | $79,000 | 266,122 | 43 |
| 21 | Cleveland, OH | $96,542 | $72,000 | 385,809 | 4 |
| 22 | Detroit, MI | $97,933 | $73,000 | 672,795 | 6 |
| 23 | Laredo, TX | $90,411 | $64,000 | 257,156 | 2 |
| 24 | Houston, TX | $93,442 | $67,000 | 2,303,482 | 62 |
| 25 | Charlotte, NC | $104,277 | $77,000 | 842,051 | 6 |
| 26 | Madison, WI | $93,571 | $70,000 | 252,551 | 6 |
| 27 | San Jose, CA | $126,733 | $90,000 | 1,025,350 | 13 |
| 28 | Greensboro, NC | $105,457 | $78,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 29 | Columbus, OH | $94,765 | $70,000 | 860,090 | 9 |
| 30 | Oakland, CA | $126,910 | $90,000 | 420,005 | 1 |
| 31 | Winston-Salem, NC | $105,048 | $78,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 32 | Portland, OR | $113,259 | $81,000 | 639,863 | 3 |
| 33 | Cincinnati, OH | $93,353 | $69,000 | 298,800 | 6 |
| 34 | New Orleans, LA | $90,012 | $64,000 | 391,495 | 5 |
| 35 | Reno, NV | $104,382 | $74,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 36 | Atlanta, GA | $95,575 | $70,000 | 472,522 | 32 |
| 37 | Dallas, TX | $94,059 | $68,000 | 1,317,929 | 19 |
| 38 | San Antonio, TX | $93,520 | $67,000 | 1,492,510 | 12 |
| 39 | Los Angeles, CA | $111,601 | $80,000 | 3,976,322 | 53 |
| 40 | Chicago, IL | $95,232 | $71,000 | 2,704,958 | 63 |
| 41 | New York, NY | $105,855 | $79,000 | 8,537,673 | 104 |
| 42 | Lexington, KY | $83,308 | $62,000 | 318,449 | 5 |
| 43 | Jersey City, NJ | $99,829 | $75,000 | 264,152 | 85 |
| 44 | Baltimore, MD | $106,462 | $79,000 | 614,664 | 14 |
| 45 | Fort Wayne, IN | $97,371 | $72,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 46 | Toledo, OH | $94,938 | $70,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 47 | Phoenix, AZ | $88,711 | $64,000 | 1,615,017 | 83 |
| 48 | Stockton, CA | $125,950 | $89,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 49 | Long Beach, CA | $110,962 | $79,000 | 470,130 | 2 |
| 50 | Virginia Beach, VA | $103,783 | $77,000 | 452,602 | 2 |
Highest paying cities for senior programmers
| Rank | City | Avg. senior programmer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $127,090 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $112,528 |
| 3 | Wilmington, DE | $108,339 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $106,851 |
| 5 | Raleigh, NC | $106,450 |
| 6 | Gaithersburg, MD | $105,962 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $105,855 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $105,150 |
| 9 | Piscataway, NJ | $99,907 |
| 10 | Lansing, MI | $96,732 |
| 11 | Indianapolis, IN | $96,278 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $95,575 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $95,232 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $94,067 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge, LA | $90,421 |
| 16 | Phoenix, AZ | $88,711 |
| 17 | Overland Park, KS | $80,862 |
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Updated January 8, 2025