Best cities for a senior systems engineer
The best cities for senior systems engineers are San Jose, CA, Memphis, TN, and Fremont, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for senior systems engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for senior systems engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a senior systems engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for senior systems engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for senior systems engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a senior systems engineer. While the absolute best city for senior systems engineers is San Jose, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for senior systems engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a senior systems engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for senior systems engineers in 2025
1. San Jose, CA
Senior systems engineer jobs in San JoseTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 210 Average annual salary: $131,845 Lowest 10 percent warn: $96,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 4.44 2. Memphis, TN
Senior systems engineer jobs in MemphisTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 79 Average annual salary: $98,439 Lowest 10 percent warn: $75,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 2.70 3. Fremont, CA
Senior systems engineer jobs in FremontTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 82 Average annual salary: $131,586 Lowest 10 percent warn: $95,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location quotient: 2.75 4. San Francisco, CA
Senior systems engineer jobs in San FranciscoTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 85 Average annual salary: $131,738 Lowest 10 percent warn: $95,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location quotient: 2.30 5. Austin, TX
Senior systems engineer jobs in AustinTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 93 Average annual salary: $100,224 Lowest 10 percent warn: $75,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 3.53 6. Omaha, NE
Senior systems engineer jobs in OmahaTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 68 Average annual salary: $100,943 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 2.16 7. Irving, TX
Senior systems engineer jobs in IrvingTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 194 Average annual salary: $95,730 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location quotient: 3.32 8. Seattle, WA
Senior systems engineer jobs in SeattleTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 175 Average annual salary: $127,007 Lowest 10 percent warn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $171,000 Location quotient: 1.40 9. Gilbert, AZ
Senior systems engineer jobs in GilbertTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $97,282 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 4.75 10. Dallas, TX
Senior systems engineer jobs in DallasTotal senior systems engineer jobs: 243 Average annual salary: $95,765 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location quotient: 2.68
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Best cities for senior systems engineers
- San Jose, CA
- Memphis, TN
- Fremont, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Austin, TX
- Omaha, NE
- Irving, TX
- Seattle, WA
- Gilbert, AZ
- Dallas, TX
- (210 senior systems engineer jobs)
- (79 senior systems engineer jobs)
- (82 senior systems engineer jobs)
- (85 senior systems engineer jobs)
- (93 senior systems engineer jobs)
- (68 senior systems engineer jobs)
- (194 senior systems engineer jobs)
- (175 senior systems engineer jobs)
- (17 senior systems engineer jobs)
- (243 senior systems engineer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a senior systems engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $131,845 | $96,000 | 1,025,350 | 210 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $98,439 | $75,000 | 652,717 | 79 |
| 3 | Fremont, CA | $131,586 | $95,000 | 233,136 | 82 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $131,738 | $95,000 | 870,887 | 85 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $100,224 | $75,000 | 947,890 | 93 |
| 6 | Omaha, NE | $100,943 | $77,000 | 446,970 | 68 |
| 7 | Irving, TX | $95,730 | $72,000 | 238,289 | 194 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $127,007 | $94,000 | 704,352 | 175 |
| 9 | Gilbert, AZ | $97,282 | $72,000 | 237,133 | 17 |
| 10 | Dallas, TX | $95,765 | $72,000 | 1,317,929 | 243 |
| 11 | Las Vegas, NV | $106,867 | $78,000 | 632,912 | 41 |
| 12 | North Las Vegas, NV | $106,237 | $77,000 | 238,702 | 2 |
| 13 | Scottsdale, AZ | $97,281 | $72,000 | 246,645 | 47 |
| 14 | Irvine, CA | $118,194 | $87,000 | 266,122 | 136 |
| 15 | Durham, NC | $92,966 | $71,000 | 263,016 | 118 |
| 16 | Phoenix, AZ | $97,482 | $72,000 | 1,615,017 | 208 |
| 17 | Oakland, CA | $131,435 | $95,000 | 420,005 | 18 |
| 18 | Arlington, TX | $95,896 | $72,000 | 392,772 | 12 |
| 19 | Plano, TX | $95,569 | $72,000 | 286,057 | 94 |
| 20 | El Paso, TX | $101,738 | $76,000 | 683,080 | 12 |
| 21 | Albuquerque, NM | $96,106 | $72,000 | 559,277 | 29 |
| 22 | Fort Worth, TX | $95,913 | $72,000 | 854,113 | 39 |
| 23 | Reno, NV | $106,106 | $77,000 | 245,255 | 12 |
| 24 | Chandler, AZ | $97,351 | $72,000 | 247,477 | 27 |
| 25 | San Diego, CA | $115,300 | $85,000 | 1,406,630 | 134 |
| 26 | Santa Ana, CA | $118,599 | $87,000 | 334,217 | 13 |
| 27 | Philadelphia, PA | $98,692 | $75,000 | 1,567,872 | 81 |
| 28 | Pittsburgh, PA | $95,445 | $73,000 | 303,625 | 68 |
| 29 | Nashville, TN | $99,051 | $75,000 | 660,388 | 28 |
| 30 | Detroit, MI | $96,062 | $74,000 | 672,795 | 36 |
| 31 | Toledo, OH | $93,521 | $72,000 | 278,508 | 6 |
| 32 | Tampa, FL | $95,315 | $72,000 | 377,165 | 170 |
| 33 | Columbus, OH | $93,355 | $71,000 | 860,090 | 73 |
| 34 | San Antonio, TX | $101,029 | $75,000 | 1,492,510 | 41 |
| 35 | Portland, OR | $114,078 | $84,000 | 639,863 | 40 |
| 36 | Los Angeles, CA | $120,866 | $88,000 | 3,976,322 | 151 |
| 37 | Lincoln, NE | $100,518 | $76,000 | 280,364 | 13 |
| 38 | Houston, TX | $99,829 | $74,000 | 2,303,482 | 164 |
| 39 | Cleveland, OH | $94,467 | $72,000 | 385,809 | 14 |
| 40 | Raleigh, NC | $93,072 | $71,000 | 458,880 | 56 |
| 41 | Charlotte, NC | $91,748 | $70,000 | 842,051 | 164 |
| 42 | Virginia Beach, VA | $102,726 | $78,000 | 452,602 | 22 |
| 43 | Milwaukee, WI | $96,106 | $74,000 | 595,047 | 27 |
| 44 | Long Beach, CA | $119,240 | $87,000 | 470,130 | 9 |
| 45 | Henderson, NV | $106,328 | $77,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 46 | Atlanta, GA | $92,887 | $70,000 | 472,522 | 74 |
| 47 | Sacramento, CA | $126,307 | $91,000 | 495,234 | 22 |
| 48 | Oklahoma City, OK | $83,479 | $63,000 | 638,367 | 137 |
| 49 | Saint Paul, MN | $96,131 | $74,000 | 302,398 | 40 |
| 50 | Colorado Springs, CO | $94,003 | $70,000 | 465,101 | 244 |
Highest paying cities for senior systems engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. senior systems engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redwood City, CA | $132,069 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $127,007 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $108,413 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $105,882 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $104,507 |
| 6 | Annapolis, MD | $102,716 |
| 7 | Springfield, VA | $102,613 |
| 8 | Bellevue, NE | $100,856 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $100,224 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $98,692 |
| 11 | Memphis, TN | $98,439 |
| 12 | Middletown, NJ | $98,272 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $97,482 |
| 14 | Washington, MI | $96,132 |
| 15 | Minneapolis, MN | $96,128 |
| 16 | Tampa, FL | $95,315 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $94,831 |
| 18 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,730 |
| 19 | Denver, CO | $94,376 |
| 20 | Durham, NC | $92,966 |
Senior systems engineer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025