Best cities for a senior software architect
The best cities for senior software architects are Fremont, CA, San Francisco, CA, and San Jose, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior software architects vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior software architects in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior software architect or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior software architects to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior software architects. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior software architect. While the absolute best city for senior software architects is Fremont, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior software architects in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior software architect job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior software architects in 2026
1. Fremont, CA
Total senior software architect jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $156,640 Lowest 10 percent warn: $107,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $228,000 Location quotient: 5.32 2. San Francisco, CA
Total senior software architect jobs: 58 Average annual salary: $157,290 Lowest 10 percent warn: $107,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $229,000 Location quotient: 5.17 3. San Jose, CA
Total senior software architect jobs: 42 Average annual salary: $156,543 Lowest 10 percent warn: $107,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $227,000 Location quotient: 5.29 4. Anchorage, AK
Total senior software architect jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $126,058 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $186,000 Location quotient: 12.33 5. Oakland, CA
Total senior software architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $156,962 Lowest 10 percent warn: $107,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $228,000 Location quotient: 2.80 6. Long Beach, CA
Total senior software architect jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $141,465 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $203,000 Location quotient: 5.84 7. Chandler, AZ
Total senior software architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $122,827 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 2.70 8. Austin, TX
Total senior software architect jobs: 69 Average annual salary: $112,535 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $164,000 Location quotient: 9.21 9. Scottsdale, AZ
Total senior software architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $123,245 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 2.57 10. Santa Ana, CA
Total senior software architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $140,863 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location quotient: 5.36
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Best cities for senior software architects
- Fremont, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- Oakland, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Chandler, AZ
- Austin, TX
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Santa Ana, CA
- (12 senior software architect jobs)
- (58 senior software architect jobs)
- (42 senior software architect jobs)
- (7 senior software architect jobs)
- (3 senior software architect jobs)
- (4 senior software architect jobs)
- (3 senior software architect jobs)
- (69 senior software architect jobs)
- (3 senior software architect jobs)
- (3 senior software architect jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a senior software architect
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fremont, CA | $156,640 | $107,000 | 233,136 | 12 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $157,290 | $107,000 | 870,887 | 58 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $156,543 | $107,000 | 1,025,350 | 42 |
| 4 | Anchorage, AK | $126,058 | $85,000 | 298,192 | 7 |
| 5 | Oakland, CA | $156,962 | $107,000 | 420,005 | 3 |
| 6 | Long Beach, CA | $141,465 | $98,000 | 470,130 | 4 |
| 7 | Chandler, AZ | $122,827 | $85,000 | 247,477 | 3 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $112,535 | $76,000 | 947,890 | 69 |
| 9 | Scottsdale, AZ | $123,245 | $85,000 | 246,645 | 3 |
| 10 | Santa Ana, CA | $140,863 | $97,000 | 334,217 | 3 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $123,303 | $85,000 | 1,615,017 | 17 |
| 12 | Las Vegas, NV | $116,505 | $80,000 | 632,912 | 9 |
| 13 | Arlington, TX | $112,566 | $77,000 | 392,772 | 3 |
| 14 | Irvine, CA | $140,508 | $97,000 | 266,122 | 16 |
| 15 | Anaheim, CA | $141,269 | $98,000 | 351,043 | 2 |
| 16 | Sacramento, CA | $155,083 | $105,000 | 495,234 | 4 |
| 17 | Seattle, WA | $140,215 | $93,000 | 704,352 | 16 |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | $105,222 | $77,000 | 385,809 | 6 |
| 19 | San Diego, CA | $137,926 | $95,000 | 1,406,630 | 44 |
| 20 | Philadelphia, PA | $112,344 | $82,000 | 1,567,872 | 13 |
| 21 | Portland, OR | $138,470 | $91,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 22 | Plano, TX | $112,159 | $77,000 | 286,057 | 11 |
| 23 | Irving, TX | $112,433 | $77,000 | 238,289 | 11 |
| 24 | Glendale, AZ | $123,341 | $85,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 25 | Stockton, CA | $155,357 | $106,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 26 | Reno, NV | $121,897 | $82,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 27 | Louisville, KY | $112,052 | $82,000 | 597,337 | 2 |
| 28 | Pittsburgh, PA | $108,761 | $79,000 | 303,625 | 8 |
| 29 | Fresno, CA | $153,238 | $105,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 30 | Oklahoma City, OK | $111,073 | $78,000 | 638,367 | 4 |
| 31 | Mesa, AZ | $122,837 | $85,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 32 | Durham, NC | $104,064 | $76,000 | 263,016 | 9 |
| 33 | Bakersfield, CA | $149,582 | $103,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 34 | Los Angeles, CA | $143,028 | $99,000 | 3,976,322 | 16 |
| 35 | Gilbert, AZ | $122,763 | $85,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 36 | Dallas, TX | $112,387 | $77,000 | 1,317,929 | 15 |
| 37 | Lexington, KY | $112,748 | $82,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 38 | Tucson, AZ | $121,235 | $83,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 39 | Boston, MA | $121,102 | $89,000 | 673,184 | 21 |
| 40 | El Paso, TX | $117,847 | $81,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 41 | Henderson, NV | $115,806 | $79,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 42 | North Las Vegas, NV | $116,273 | $80,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 43 | Houston, TX | $110,662 | $75,000 | 2,303,482 | 24 |
| 44 | Lubbock, TX | $114,830 | $79,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 45 | Jersey City, NJ | $115,427 | $84,000 | 264,152 | 17 |
| 46 | Aurora, CO | $105,137 | $73,000 | 361,710 | 12 |
| 47 | Nashville, TN | $96,664 | $70,000 | 660,388 | 9 |
| 48 | Fort Worth, TX | $112,666 | $77,000 | 854,113 | 1 |
| 49 | Raleigh, NC | $104,161 | $76,000 | 458,880 | 7 |
| 50 | Riverside, CA | $140,838 | $97,000 | 324,722 | - |
Highest paying cities for senior software architects
| Rank | City | Avg. senior software architect salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $157,290 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $140,215 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $125,455 |
| 4 | Phoenix, AZ | $123,303 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $121,102 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $119,025 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $116,505 |
| 8 | Jersey City, NJ | $115,427 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $112,535 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $112,344 |
| 11 | Reston, VA | $109,613 |
| 12 | Ann Arbor, MI | $108,474 |
| 13 | Boulder, CO | $105,488 |
| 14 | Durham, NC | $104,064 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $104,062 |
| 16 | Alpharetta, GA | $100,916 |
| 17 | Tampa, FL | $94,540 |
Senior software architect best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025