Best cities for a senior software development engineer
The best cities for senior software development engineers are Fremont, CA, Seattle, WA, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior software development engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior software development engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior software development engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior software development engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior software development engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior software development engineer. While the absolute best city for senior software development engineers is Fremont, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior software development engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior software development engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior software development engineers in 2026
1. Fremont, CA
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 169 Average annual salary: $150,469 Lowest 10 percent warn: $110,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 27.26 2. Seattle, WA
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 195 Average annual salary: $148,278 Lowest 10 percent warn: $108,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location quotient: 27.16 3. San Francisco, CA
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 102 Average annual salary: $151,186 Lowest 10 percent warn: $111,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 11.61 4. Oakland, CA
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 27 Average annual salary: $150,964 Lowest 10 percent warn: $110,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 9.16 5. San Jose, CA
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 247 Average annual salary: $150,083 Lowest 10 percent warn: $110,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 11.31 6. Scottsdale, AZ
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $112,560 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $151,000 Location quotient: 7.80 7. San Diego, CA
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 78 Average annual salary: $131,007 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $175,000 Location quotient: 17.85 8. Irvine, CA
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 90 Average annual salary: $133,420 Lowest 10 percent warn: $99,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 10.69 9. Chandler, AZ
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $112,013 Lowest 10 percent warn: $83,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $150,000 Location quotient: 4.90 10. Sacramento, CA
Total senior software development engineer jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $150,460 Lowest 10 percent warn: $110,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 2.49
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Best cities for senior software development engineers
- Fremont, CA
- Seattle, WA
- San Francisco, CA
- Oakland, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Scottsdale, AZ
- San Diego, CA
- Irvine, CA
- Chandler, AZ
- Sacramento, CA
- (169 senior software development engineer jobs)
- (195 senior software development engineer jobs)
- (102 senior software development engineer jobs)
- (27 senior software development engineer jobs)
- (247 senior software development engineer jobs)
- (25 senior software development engineer jobs)
- (78 senior software development engineer jobs)
- (90 senior software development engineer jobs)
- (15 senior software development engineer jobs)
- (16 senior software development engineer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a senior software development engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fremont, CA | $150,469 | $110,000 | 233,136 | 169 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $148,278 | $108,000 | 704,352 | 195 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $151,186 | $111,000 | 870,887 | 102 |
| 4 | Oakland, CA | $150,964 | $110,000 | 420,005 | 27 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $150,083 | $110,000 | 1,025,350 | 247 |
| 6 | Scottsdale, AZ | $112,560 | $83,000 | 246,645 | 25 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $131,007 | $97,000 | 1,406,630 | 78 |
| 8 | Irvine, CA | $133,420 | $99,000 | 266,122 | 90 |
| 9 | Chandler, AZ | $112,013 | $83,000 | 247,477 | 15 |
| 10 | Sacramento, CA | $150,460 | $110,000 | 495,234 | 16 |
| 11 | Long Beach, CA | $134,079 | $99,000 | 470,130 | 10 |
| 12 | Gilbert, AZ | $111,955 | $83,000 | 237,133 | 3 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $112,562 | $83,000 | 1,615,017 | 49 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $97,696 | $73,000 | 947,890 | 25 |
| 15 | Henderson, NV | $113,677 | $83,000 | 292,969 | 2 |
| 16 | Los Angeles, CA | $135,211 | $100,000 | 3,976,322 | 87 |
| 17 | Portland, OR | $125,786 | $91,000 | 639,863 | 22 |
| 18 | Irving, TX | $96,723 | $72,000 | 238,289 | 96 |
| 19 | Indianapolis, IN | $97,903 | $74,000 | 855,164 | 51 |
| 20 | Philadelphia, PA | $98,938 | $74,000 | 1,567,872 | 60 |
| 21 | Mesa, AZ | $112,062 | $83,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 22 | Plano, TX | $96,378 | $72,000 | 286,057 | 51 |
| 23 | Anaheim, CA | $133,970 | $99,000 | 351,043 | 3 |
| 24 | Omaha, NE | $89,307 | $67,000 | 446,970 | 90 |
| 25 | Las Vegas, NV | $114,580 | $83,000 | 632,912 | 5 |
| 26 | Atlanta, GA | $94,346 | $71,000 | 472,522 | 185 |
| 27 | Chicago, IL | $96,783 | $73,000 | 2,704,958 | 183 |
| 28 | Reno, NV | $122,576 | $89,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 29 | Orlando, FL | $94,397 | $72,000 | 277,173 | 46 |
| 30 | Stockton, CA | $150,154 | $110,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 31 | Santa Ana, CA | $133,676 | $99,000 | 334,217 | 2 |
| 32 | Arlington, TX | $96,936 | $72,000 | 392,772 | 3 |
| 33 | Pittsburgh, PA | $96,725 | $72,000 | 303,625 | 16 |
| 34 | North Las Vegas, NV | $114,401 | $83,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 35 | Glendale, AZ | $112,581 | $83,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 36 | Cleveland, OH | $96,291 | $72,000 | 385,809 | 5 |
| 37 | Fresno, CA | $146,870 | $107,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 38 | Cincinnati, OH | $93,312 | $70,000 | 298,800 | 13 |
| 39 | Durham, NC | $87,657 | $66,000 | 263,016 | 195 |
| 40 | Bakersfield, CA | $142,317 | $104,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 41 | Saint Paul, MN | $94,884 | $72,000 | 302,398 | 14 |
| 42 | Lincoln, NE | $89,075 | $67,000 | 280,364 | 14 |
| 43 | Dallas, TX | $96,705 | $72,000 | 1,317,929 | 36 |
| 44 | Fort Wayne, IN | $99,471 | $75,000 | 264,488 | 2 |
| 45 | Fort Worth, TX | $97,031 | $72,000 | 854,113 | 6 |
| 46 | Riverside, CA | $133,721 | $99,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 47 | Jersey City, NJ | $100,915 | $76,000 | 264,152 | 182 |
| 48 | Toledo, OH | $95,656 | $72,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 49 | San Antonio, TX | $97,668 | $73,000 | 1,492,510 | 10 |
| 50 | Tampa, FL | $94,846 | $72,000 | 377,165 | 23 |
Highest paying cities for senior software development engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. senior software development engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $151,186 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $148,278 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $104,483 |
| 4 | Arlington, VA | $102,409 |
| 5 | Salt Lake City, UT | $101,818 |
| 6 | Jersey City, NJ | $100,915 |
| 7 | Englewood, CO | $99,186 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $98,938 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $97,696 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $97,557 |
| 11 | Bowie, MD | $97,225 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $96,783 |
| 13 | Newark, DE | $95,170 |
| 14 | Orlando, FL | $94,397 |
| 15 | Atlanta, GA | $94,346 |
| 16 | Merrimack, NH | $92,386 |
| 17 | Omaha, NE | $89,307 |
| 18 | Cary, NC | $87,665 |
| 19 | OFallon, MO | $86,255 |
Senior software development engineer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025