Best cities for a staff software engineer
The best cities for staff software engineers are San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, and San Jose, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for staff software engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for staff software engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a staff software engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for staff software engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for staff software engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a staff software engineer. While the absolute best city for staff software engineers is San Francisco, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for staff software engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a staff software engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for staff software engineers in 2025
1. San Francisco, CA
Staff software engineer jobs in San FranciscoTotal staff software engineer jobs: 247 Average annual salary: $156,567 Lowest 10 percent warn: $112,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $217,000 Location quotient: 18.16 2. Seattle, WA
Staff software engineer jobs in SeattleTotal staff software engineer jobs: 106 Average annual salary: $154,064 Lowest 10 percent warn: $109,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $217,000 Location quotient: 6.13 3. San Jose, CA
Staff software engineer jobs in San JoseTotal staff software engineer jobs: 57 Average annual salary: $155,491 Lowest 10 percent warn: $111,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $215,000 Location quotient: 32.13 4. Fremont, CA
Staff software engineer jobs in FremontTotal staff software engineer jobs: 139 Average annual salary: $155,789 Lowest 10 percent warn: $112,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $216,000 Location quotient: 9.88 5. Oakland, CA
Staff software engineer jobs in OaklandTotal staff software engineer jobs: 33 Average annual salary: $156,253 Lowest 10 percent warn: $112,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $217,000 Location quotient: 4.93 6. Reno, NV
Staff software engineer jobs in RenoTotal staff software engineer jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $133,954 Lowest 10 percent warn: $95,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $187,000 Location quotient: 2.66 7. Las Vegas, NV
Staff software engineer jobs in Las VegasTotal staff software engineer jobs: 43 Average annual salary: $125,938 Lowest 10 percent warn: $91,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 2.61 8. Glendale, AZ
Staff software engineer jobs in GlendaleTotal staff software engineer jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $122,427 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 5.19 9. Portland, OR
Staff software engineer jobs in PortlandTotal staff software engineer jobs: 49 Average annual salary: $138,471 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $195,000 Location quotient: 2.06 10. San Diego, CA
Staff software engineer jobs in San DiegoTotal staff software engineer jobs: 156 Average annual salary: $141,008 Lowest 10 percent warn: $102,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $193,000 Location quotient: 51.89
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Best cities for staff software engineers
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- San Jose, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Reno, NV
- Las Vegas, NV
- Glendale, AZ
- Portland, OR
- San Diego, CA
- (247 staff software engineer jobs)
- (106 staff software engineer jobs)
- (57 staff software engineer jobs)
- (139 staff software engineer jobs)
- (33 staff software engineer jobs)
- (14 staff software engineer jobs)
- (43 staff software engineer jobs)
- (10 staff software engineer jobs)
- (49 staff software engineer jobs)
- (156 staff software engineer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a staff software engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $156,567 | $112,000 | 870,887 | 247 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $154,064 | $109,000 | 704,352 | 106 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $155,491 | $111,000 | 1,025,350 | 57 |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $155,789 | $112,000 | 233,136 | 139 |
| 5 | Oakland, CA | $156,253 | $112,000 | 420,005 | 33 |
| 6 | Reno, NV | $133,954 | $95,000 | 245,255 | 14 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $125,938 | $91,000 | 632,912 | 43 |
| 8 | Glendale, AZ | $122,427 | $89,000 | 245,895 | 10 |
| 9 | Portland, OR | $138,471 | $98,000 | 639,863 | 49 |
| 10 | San Diego, CA | $141,008 | $102,000 | 1,406,630 | 156 |
| 11 | Chandler, AZ | $122,092 | $89,000 | 247,477 | 15 |
| 12 | Austin, TX | $113,334 | $84,000 | 947,890 | 158 |
| 13 | Irvine, CA | $142,887 | $103,000 | 266,122 | 93 |
| 14 | Anchorage, AK | $180,653 | $134,000 | 298,192 | 4 |
| 15 | Scottsdale, AZ | $122,169 | $89,000 | 246,645 | 14 |
| 16 | Los Angeles, CA | $144,353 | $104,000 | 3,976,322 | 131 |
| 17 | Cleveland, OH | $112,281 | $84,000 | 385,809 | 13 |
| 18 | Phoenix, AZ | $122,352 | $89,000 | 1,615,017 | 57 |
| 19 | Indianapolis, IN | $113,985 | $85,000 | 855,164 | 35 |
| 20 | Durham, NC | $108,565 | $81,000 | 263,016 | 73 |
| 21 | Plano, TX | $110,625 | $82,000 | 286,057 | 89 |
| 22 | Dallas, TX | $111,246 | $82,000 | 1,317,929 | 96 |
| 23 | Gilbert, AZ | $122,016 | $89,000 | 237,133 | 2 |
| 24 | Raleigh, NC | $108,524 | $81,000 | 458,880 | 71 |
| 25 | Pittsburgh, PA | $108,776 | $81,000 | 303,625 | 43 |
| 26 | Columbus, OH | $111,600 | $83,000 | 860,090 | 27 |
| 27 | Irving, TX | $111,228 | $82,000 | 238,289 | 59 |
| 28 | Sacramento, CA | $155,093 | $111,000 | 495,234 | 11 |
| 29 | Fort Wayne, IN | $115,833 | $87,000 | 264,488 | 3 |
| 30 | Detroit, MI | $110,810 | $83,000 | 672,795 | 17 |
| 31 | Nashville, TN | $105,229 | $79,000 | 660,388 | 28 |
| 32 | Fort Worth, TX | $111,647 | $83,000 | 854,113 | 17 |
| 33 | North Las Vegas, NV | $125,693 | $90,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 34 | Atlanta, GA | $109,705 | $83,000 | 472,522 | 237 |
| 35 | New York, NY | $127,959 | $95,000 | 8,537,673 | 246 |
| 36 | Cincinnati, OH | $109,694 | $82,000 | 298,800 | 8 |
| 37 | Henderson, NV | $125,249 | $90,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 38 | Philadelphia, PA | $110,457 | $82,000 | 1,567,872 | 25 |
| 39 | Milwaukee, WI | $108,779 | $82,000 | 595,047 | 15 |
| 40 | Stockton, CA | $154,934 | $111,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 41 | Mesa, AZ | $122,011 | $89,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 42 | Santa Ana, CA | $143,119 | $103,000 | 334,217 | 3 |
| 43 | Greensboro, NC | $108,072 | $81,000 | 287,027 | 9 |
| 44 | Fresno, CA | $151,892 | $109,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 45 | Toledo, OH | $111,545 | $83,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 46 | Kansas City, MO | $109,375 | $82,000 | 481,420 | 23 |
| 47 | Louisville, KY | $107,444 | $81,000 | 597,337 | 10 |
| 48 | Bakersfield, CA | $148,136 | $107,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 49 | Albuquerque, NM | $118,201 | $86,000 | 559,277 | 5 |
| 50 | Chicago, IL | $108,122 | $81,000 | 2,704,958 | 225 |
Highest paying cities for staff software engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. staff software engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $156,567 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $154,064 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $138,471 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $127,959 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $125,030 |
| 6 | Bridgewater, NJ | $116,727 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $113,334 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $112,846 |
| 9 | Dublin, OH | $111,584 |
| 10 | Portland, ME | $111,317 |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | $109,705 |
| 12 | Durham, NC | $108,565 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $108,122 |
| 14 | Boulder, CO | $105,121 |
| 15 | Bentonville, AR | $103,787 |
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Updated January 8, 2025