Best cities for a software applications architect
The best cities for software applications architects are Phoenix, AZ, Las Vegas, NV, and Fremont, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for software applications architects vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for software applications architects in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a software applications architect or considering a move, this list of the best cities for software applications architects to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for software applications architects. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a software applications architect. While the absolute best city for software applications architects is Phoenix, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for software applications architects in 2024.
If you're looking for a software applications architect job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for software applications architects in 2026
1. Phoenix, AZ
Total software applications architect jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $124,693 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $175,000 Location quotient: 2.29 2. Las Vegas, NV
Total software applications architect jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $130,548 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $185,000 Location quotient: 2.02 3. Fremont, CA
Total software applications architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $148,786 Lowest 10 percent warn: $105,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $209,000 Location quotient: 3.55 4. Irving, TX
Total software applications architect jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $118,382 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 4.22 5. Plano, TX
Total software applications architect jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $118,210 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $164,000 Location quotient: 5.79 6. Sacramento, CA
Total software applications architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $147,629 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $208,000 Location quotient: 3.42 7. Seattle, WA
Total software applications architect jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $146,488 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 0.56 8. Pittsburgh, PA
Total software applications architect jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $130,661 Lowest 10 percent warn: $95,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $178,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Philadelphia, PA
Total software applications architect jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $133,163 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Long Beach, CA
Total software applications architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $140,808 Lowest 10 percent warn: $100,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $197,000 Location quotient: 11.68
Best cities for software applications architects
- Phoenix, AZ
- Las Vegas, NV
- Fremont, CA
- Irving, TX
- Plano, TX
- Sacramento, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Long Beach, CA
- (6 software applications architect jobs)
- (2 software applications architect jobs)
- (3 software applications architect jobs)
- (7 software applications architect jobs)
- (8 software applications architect jobs)
- (3 software applications architect jobs)
- (2 software applications architect jobs)
- (0 software applications architect jobs)
- (0 software applications architect jobs)
- (3 software applications architect jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a software applications architect
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix, AZ | $124,693 | $88,000 | 1,615,017 | 6 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $130,548 | $92,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 3 | Fremont, CA | $148,786 | $105,000 | 233,136 | 3 |
| 4 | Irving, TX | $118,382 | $84,000 | 238,289 | 7 |
| 5 | Plano, TX | $118,210 | $84,000 | 286,057 | 8 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $147,629 | $104,000 | 495,234 | 3 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $146,488 | $104,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | $130,661 | $95,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $133,163 | $97,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 10 | Long Beach, CA | $140,808 | $100,000 | 470,130 | 3 |
| 11 | Reno, NV | $132,807 | $93,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 12 | Scottsdale, AZ | $124,721 | $88,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $124,707 | $88,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 14 | North Las Vegas, NV | $130,350 | $91,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 15 | San Francisco, CA | $149,077 | $105,000 | 870,887 | 5 |
| 16 | San Jose, CA | $148,781 | $105,000 | 1,025,350 | 5 |
| 17 | Portland, OR | $134,334 | $95,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 18 | Henderson, NV | $130,223 | $91,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 19 | Mesa, AZ | $124,062 | $88,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 20 | Chandler, AZ | $123,974 | $88,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 21 | Gilbert, AZ | $123,913 | $88,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 22 | Austin, TX | $118,707 | $85,000 | 947,890 | 5 |
| 23 | El Paso, TX | $121,268 | $86,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 24 | Oakland, CA | $148,902 | $105,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 25 | Dallas, TX | $118,350 | $84,000 | 1,317,929 | 3 |
| 26 | Fort Worth, TX | $118,548 | $84,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 27 | Oklahoma City, OK | $105,351 | $75,000 | 638,367 | 5 |
| 28 | Stockton, CA | $147,988 | $104,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 29 | Arlington, TX | $118,476 | $84,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 30 | Atlanta, GA | $113,175 | $83,000 | 472,522 | 23 |
| 31 | Detroit, MI | $106,952 | $79,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 32 | Lubbock, TX | $119,772 | $85,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 33 | Houston, TX | $117,957 | $84,000 | 2,303,482 | 5 |
| 34 | Fresno, CA | $147,199 | $104,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 35 | Garland, TX | $118,235 | $84,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 36 | Cincinnati, OH | $103,165 | $75,000 | 298,800 | 3 |
| 37 | Tucson, AZ | $122,152 | $87,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 38 | San Antonio, TX | $118,453 | $85,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 39 | Laredo, TX | $117,243 | $84,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 40 | Corpus Christi, TX | $117,087 | $84,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 41 | Indianapolis, IN | $106,798 | $78,000 | 855,164 | 3 |
| 42 | Lincoln, NE | $105,642 | $77,000 | 280,364 | 3 |
| 43 | Madison, WI | $107,833 | $80,000 | 252,551 | 2 |
| 44 | Columbus, OH | $103,781 | $75,000 | 860,090 | 2 |
| 45 | Bakersfield, CA | $145,837 | $103,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 46 | Nashville, TN | $101,174 | $73,000 | 660,388 | 3 |
| 47 | Los Angeles, CA | $141,990 | $100,000 | 3,976,322 | 2 |
| 48 | Anaheim, CA | $140,666 | $100,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 49 | Riverside, CA | $140,325 | $99,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 50 | Santa Ana, CA | $140,258 | $99,000 | 334,217 | - |
Highest paying cities for software applications architects
| Rank | City | Avg. software applications architect salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $149,077 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $146,488 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $124,693 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $121,176 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $118,707 |
| 6 | Colorado Springs, CO | $118,586 |
| 7 | Alpharetta, GA | $113,272 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $111,954 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $107,282 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $106,952 |
| 11 | Fort Lee, NJ | $106,769 |
| 12 | Oklahoma City, OK | $105,351 |
| 13 | Bozeman, MT | $104,999 |
| 14 | Cincinnati, OH | $103,165 |
| 15 | Charlotte, NC | $101,942 |