Best cities for a senior software manager
The best cities for senior software managers are Seattle, WA, Fremont, CA, and San Jose, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior software managers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior software managers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior software manager or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior software managers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior software managers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior software manager. While the absolute best city for senior software managers is Seattle, WA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior software managers in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior software manager job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior software managers in 2026
1. Seattle, WA
Total senior software manager jobs: 125 Average annual salary: $165,582 Lowest 10 percent warn: $113,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $241,000 Location quotient: 20.87 2. Fremont, CA
Total senior software manager jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $189,169 Lowest 10 percent warn: $132,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $269,000 Location quotient: 4.91 3. San Jose, CA
Total senior software manager jobs: 22 Average annual salary: $188,698 Lowest 10 percent warn: $132,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $269,000 Location quotient: 4.38 4. Oakland, CA
Total senior software manager jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $189,813 Lowest 10 percent warn: $133,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $270,000 Location quotient: 2.95 5. Las Vegas, NV
Total senior software manager jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $143,970 Lowest 10 percent warn: $100,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $206,000 Location quotient: 3.59 6. Gilbert, AZ
Total senior software manager jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $134,637 Lowest 10 percent warn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $192,000 Location quotient: 11.66 7. Chandler, AZ
Total senior software manager jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $134,740 Lowest 10 percent warn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $192,000 Location quotient: 5.68 8. Mesa, AZ
Total senior software manager jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $134,736 Lowest 10 percent warn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $192,000 Location quotient: 5.98 9. Phoenix, AZ
Total senior software manager jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $135,419 Lowest 10 percent warn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $193,000 Location quotient: 4.29 10. San Francisco, CA
Total senior software manager jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $190,109 Lowest 10 percent warn: $133,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $271,000 Location quotient: 2.26
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Best cities for senior software managers
- Seattle, WA
- Fremont, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Gilbert, AZ
- Chandler, AZ
- Mesa, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Francisco, CA
- (125 senior software manager jobs)
- (7 senior software manager jobs)
- (22 senior software manager jobs)
- (2 senior software manager jobs)
- (6 senior software manager jobs)
- (2 senior software manager jobs)
- (4 senior software manager jobs)
- (2 senior software manager jobs)
- (19 senior software manager jobs)
- (16 senior software manager jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a senior software manager
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $165,582 | $113,000 | 704,352 | 125 |
| 2 | Fremont, CA | $189,169 | $132,000 | 233,136 | 7 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $188,698 | $132,000 | 1,025,350 | 22 |
| 4 | Oakland, CA | $189,813 | $133,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $143,970 | $100,000 | 632,912 | 6 |
| 6 | Gilbert, AZ | $134,637 | $94,000 | 237,133 | 2 |
| 7 | Chandler, AZ | $134,740 | $94,000 | 247,477 | 4 |
| 8 | Mesa, AZ | $134,736 | $94,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $135,419 | $94,000 | 1,615,017 | 19 |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | $190,109 | $133,000 | 870,887 | 16 |
| 11 | Sacramento, CA | $189,420 | $132,000 | 495,234 | 3 |
| 12 | Irvine, CA | $174,318 | $121,000 | 266,122 | 5 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $120,793 | $91,000 | 860,090 | 12 |
| 14 | Long Beach, CA | $175,196 | $122,000 | 470,130 | 1 |
| 15 | Austin, TX | $123,091 | $88,000 | 947,890 | 17 |
| 16 | Portland, OR | $171,311 | $117,000 | 639,863 | 2 |
| 17 | Los Angeles, CA | $176,243 | $123,000 | 3,976,322 | 12 |
| 18 | Stockton, CA | $188,744 | $132,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 19 | Reno, NV | $152,730 | $106,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 20 | Philadelphia, PA | $117,201 | $88,000 | 1,567,872 | 10 |
| 21 | Boston, MA | $137,261 | $103,000 | 673,184 | 17 |
| 22 | San Diego, CA | $171,261 | $119,000 | 1,406,630 | 8 |
| 23 | Irving, TX | $121,201 | $88,000 | 238,289 | 8 |
| 24 | Fresno, CA | $184,751 | $129,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 25 | Bakersfield, CA | $180,501 | $126,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 26 | Anchorage, AK | $157,492 | $115,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 27 | North Las Vegas, NV | $143,799 | $100,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 28 | Henderson, NV | $143,344 | $99,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 29 | Anaheim, CA | $174,972 | $122,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 30 | Santa Ana, CA | $174,647 | $121,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 31 | Riverside, CA | $174,482 | $121,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 32 | Lincoln, NE | $110,176 | $80,000 | 280,364 | 5 |
| 33 | Glendale, AZ | $135,482 | $94,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 34 | Saint Paul, MN | $120,000 | $89,000 | 302,398 | 7 |
| 35 | Scottsdale, AZ | $135,306 | $94,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 36 | Detroit, MI | $122,915 | $92,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 37 | Plano, TX | $120,754 | $88,000 | 286,057 | 5 |
| 38 | Raleigh, NC | $114,932 | $87,000 | 458,880 | 5 |
| 39 | Louisville, KY | $110,588 | $83,000 | 597,337 | 4 |
| 40 | Nashville, TN | $103,766 | $78,000 | 660,388 | 15 |
| 41 | Chula Vista, CA | $170,808 | $119,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 42 | Newark, NJ | $128,317 | $96,000 | 281,764 | 5 |
| 43 | Atlanta, GA | $116,439 | $88,000 | 472,522 | 21 |
| 44 | Pittsburgh, PA | $114,546 | $86,000 | 303,625 | 6 |
| 45 | Milwaukee, WI | $116,728 | $87,000 | 595,047 | 3 |
| 46 | El Paso, TX | $132,176 | $93,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 47 | Albuquerque, NM | $130,645 | $91,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 48 | Cincinnati, OH | $119,811 | $90,000 | 298,800 | 2 |
| 49 | San Antonio, TX | $123,640 | $88,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 50 | Cleveland, OH | $121,853 | $91,000 | 385,809 | - |
Highest paying cities for senior software managers
| Rank | City | Avg. senior software manager salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $190,109 |
| 2 | Hillsboro, OR | $171,911 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $165,582 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $143,970 |
| 5 | Hartford, CT | $140,703 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $137,261 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $135,419 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $128,383 |
| 9 | Jersey City, NJ | $128,350 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $123,091 |
| 11 | Novi, MI | $122,823 |
| 12 | Colorado Springs, CO | $121,446 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $120,793 |
| 14 | Philadelphia, PA | $117,201 |
| 15 | Atlanta, GA | $116,439 |
| 16 | Arlington, VA | $115,513 |
| 17 | Charlotte, NC | $113,830 |
| 18 | Waukegan, IL | $113,559 |
Senior software manager best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025