Best cities for a staff programmer
The best cities for staff programmers are Seattle, WA, Reno, NV, and Detroit, MI, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for staff programmers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for staff programmers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a staff programmer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for staff programmers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for staff programmers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a staff programmer. While the absolute best city for staff programmers is Seattle, WA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for staff programmers in 2024.
If you're looking for a staff programmer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for staff programmers in 2025
1. Seattle, WA
Total staff programmer jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $140,798 Lowest 10 percent warn: $102,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $193,000 Location quotient: 76.62 2. Reno, NV
Total staff programmer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $113,768 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $158,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Detroit, MI
Total staff programmer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $121,194 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $161,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Pittsburgh, PA
Total staff programmer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $116,642 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $156,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Portland, OR
Total staff programmer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $125,949 Lowest 10 percent warn: $91,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Philadelphia, PA
Total staff programmer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $119,314 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Virginia Beach, VA
Total staff programmer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $123,454 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Glendale, AZ
Total staff programmer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $112,447 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $155,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Norfolk, VA
Total staff programmer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $123,305 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Phoenix, AZ
Total staff programmer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $112,407 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $155,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for staff programmers
- Seattle, WA
- Reno, NV
- Detroit, MI
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Philadelphia, PA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Glendale, AZ
- Norfolk, VA
- Phoenix, AZ
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Detailed list of the best cities for a staff programmer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $140,798 | $102,000 | 704,352 | 17 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $113,768 | $81,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 3 | Detroit, MI | $121,194 | $90,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $116,642 | $86,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $125,949 | $91,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $119,314 | $89,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 7 | Virginia Beach, VA | $123,454 | $92,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 8 | Glendale, AZ | $112,447 | $81,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 9 | Norfolk, VA | $123,305 | $92,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $112,407 | $81,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 11 | Chesapeake, VA | $123,155 | $91,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 12 | Scottsdale, AZ | $112,361 | $81,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $109,084 | $78,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 14 | Mesa, AZ | $111,784 | $80,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 15 | North Las Vegas, NV | $108,990 | $78,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 16 | Chandler, AZ | $111,754 | $80,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 17 | Gilbert, AZ | $111,672 | $80,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 18 | Nashville, TN | $100,001 | $74,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 19 | San Francisco, CA | $132,263 | $95,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 20 | Oakland, CA | $132,114 | $95,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 21 | San Jose, CA | $131,660 | $95,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 22 | Henderson, NV | $108,141 | $77,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 23 | Memphis, TN | $99,145 | $73,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 24 | Fremont, CA | $131,840 | $95,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 25 | Sacramento, CA | $131,555 | $95,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 26 | Tucson, AZ | $109,615 | $79,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 27 | Stockton, CA | $131,496 | $95,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 28 | Raleigh, NC | $102,503 | $76,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 29 | Durham, NC | $102,430 | $76,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 30 | Saint Paul, MN | $107,835 | $81,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 31 | Fresno, CA | $129,786 | $93,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 32 | Minneapolis, MN | $107,806 | $81,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 33 | Greensboro, NC | $101,844 | $75,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 34 | Cleveland, OH | $96,768 | $72,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 35 | Winston-Salem, NC | $101,496 | $75,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 36 | Toledo, OH | $95,914 | $71,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 37 | Bakersfield, CA | $126,363 | $91,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 38 | Charlotte, NC | $100,496 | $74,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 39 | Oklahoma City, OK | $98,814 | $71,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 40 | Columbus, OH | $95,404 | $70,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 41 | Jacksonville, FL | $105,417 | $76,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 42 | Tulsa, OK | $98,189 | $71,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 43 | Milwaukee, WI | $97,848 | $73,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 44 | Cincinnati, OH | $93,738 | $69,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 45 | Anchorage, AK | $107,292 | $87,000 | 298,192 | 2 |
| 46 | Madison, WI | $97,420 | $72,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 47 | Wichita, KS | $95,390 | $68,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 48 | Boston, MA | $111,422 | $84,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 49 | Lexington, KY | $93,077 | $69,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 50 | Omaha, NE | $95,629 | $69,000 | 446,970 | - |
Highest paying cities for staff programmers
| Rank | City | Avg. staff programmer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $140,798 |
| 2 | Newark, CA | $131,911 |
| 3 | Gresham, OR | $125,890 |
| 4 | New Haven, CT | $125,510 |
| 5 | Ann Arbor, MI | $120,814 |
| 6 | Morrisville, NC | $102,401 |
| 7 | Old Bridge, NJ | $99,002 |
| 8 | Peoria, IL | $96,538 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $94,331 |
| 10 | Richmond, KY | $93,006 |
| 11 | Austin, TX | $89,478 |
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Updated January 8, 2025