Best cities for a social scientist
The best cities for social scientists are Fort Wayne, IN, Glendale, AZ, and Phoenix, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for social scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for social scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a social scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for social scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for social scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a social scientist. While the absolute best city for social scientists is Fort Wayne, IN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for social scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a social scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for social scientists in 2026
1. Fort Wayne, IN
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $91,468 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $147,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Glendale, AZ
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $95,206 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $161,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Phoenix, AZ
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $95,192 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $161,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Scottsdale, AZ
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $95,183 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $161,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Mesa, AZ
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $94,849 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Chandler, AZ
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $94,816 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Indianapolis, IN
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $89,050 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $143,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Gilbert, AZ
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $94,777 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Milwaukee, WI
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $89,077 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Tucson, AZ
Total social scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $93,458 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $157,000 Location quotient: 0.00
Best cities for social scientists
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Glendale, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Mesa, AZ
- Chandler, AZ
- Indianapolis, IN
- Gilbert, AZ
- Milwaukee, WI
- Tucson, AZ
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Detailed list of the best cities for a social scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Wayne, IN | $91,468 | $56,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 2 | Glendale, AZ | $95,206 | $56,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $95,192 | $56,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 4 | Scottsdale, AZ | $95,183 | $56,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 5 | Mesa, AZ | $94,849 | $56,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 6 | Chandler, AZ | $94,816 | $56,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 7 | Indianapolis, IN | $89,050 | $55,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 8 | Gilbert, AZ | $94,777 | $56,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 9 | Milwaukee, WI | $89,077 | $56,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 10 | Tucson, AZ | $93,458 | $55,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 11 | Madison, WI | $87,351 | $55,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 12 | Virginia Beach, VA | $97,498 | $58,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 13 | Seattle, WA | $93,222 | $53,000 | 704,352 | 4 |
| 14 | Norfolk, VA | $97,348 | $58,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 15 | Chesapeake, VA | $97,089 | $58,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 16 | Reno, NV | $81,367 | $45,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 17 | Cleveland, OH | $72,741 | $45,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 18 | Las Vegas, NV | $77,110 | $44,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 19 | North Las Vegas, NV | $76,995 | $44,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 20 | Henderson, NV | $76,762 | $44,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 21 | Columbus, OH | $70,413 | $43,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 22 | Toledo, OH | $70,905 | $44,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 23 | Cincinnati, OH | $68,334 | $42,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 24 | San Francisco, CA | $83,311 | $46,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 25 | Oakland, CA | $83,152 | $46,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 26 | Fremont, CA | $82,833 | $46,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 27 | Boston, MA | $79,194 | $49,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 28 | Sacramento, CA | $82,763 | $46,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 29 | Lexington, KY | $67,242 | $41,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 30 | San Jose, CA | $82,611 | $46,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 31 | Louisville, KY | $66,245 | $40,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 32 | New Orleans, LA | $65,424 | $39,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 33 | Stockton, CA | $82,542 | $46,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 34 | Philadelphia, PA | $62,524 | $38,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 35 | Fresno, CA | $80,856 | $45,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 36 | Saint Louis, MO | $63,292 | $39,000 | 311,404 | - |
| 37 | Bakersfield, CA | $78,778 | $45,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 38 | Washington, DC | $79,880 | $48,000 | 681,170 | 16 |
| 39 | Baltimore, MD | $75,281 | $45,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 40 | Omaha, NE | $60,286 | $38,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 41 | Lincoln, NE | $59,995 | $38,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 42 | Los Angeles, CA | $75,610 | $43,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 43 | Pittsburgh, PA | $59,837 | $36,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 44 | Long Beach, CA | $74,892 | $43,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 45 | Anaheim, CA | $74,864 | $43,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 46 | Riverside, CA | $74,776 | $43,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 47 | Santa Ana, CA | $74,641 | $43,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 48 | Detroit, MI | $58,458 | $36,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 49 | Jersey City, NJ | $69,224 | $42,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 50 | Kansas City, MO | $61,123 | $38,000 | 481,420 | - |
Highest paying cities for social scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. social scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington, VA | $99,088 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $93,222 |
| 3 | South Bend, IN | $90,478 |
| 4 | Palo Alto, CA | $82,926 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $79,880 |
| 6 | Wilmington, DE | $76,408 |
| 7 | Silver Spring, MD | $74,781 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $63,474 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | $62,398 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $59,383 |
| 11 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $51,208 |
| 12 | Minneapolis, MN | $50,878 |
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Updated January 8, 2025