Best cities for a systems architect
The best cities for systems architects are San Jose, CA, Henderson, NV, and Durham, NC, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for systems architects vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for systems architects in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a systems architect or considering a move, this list of the best cities for systems architects to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for systems architects. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a systems architect. While the absolute best city for systems architects is San Jose, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for systems architects in 2024.
If you're looking for a systems architect job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for systems architects in 2026
1. San Jose, CA
Total systems architect jobs: 172 Average annual salary: $123,655 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 15.19 2. Henderson, NV
Total systems architect jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $105,799 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $154,000 Location quotient: 6.34 3. Durham, NC
Total systems architect jobs: 41 Average annual salary: $98,271 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $136,000 Location quotient: 6.34 4. Fremont, CA
Total systems architect jobs: 43 Average annual salary: $123,432 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 5.38 5. Chandler, AZ
Total systems architect jobs: 63 Average annual salary: $96,743 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 15.97 6. Charlotte, NC
Total systems architect jobs: 163 Average annual salary: $96,784 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 6.91 7. Raleigh, NC
Total systems architect jobs: 42 Average annual salary: $98,298 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $136,000 Location quotient: 4.06 8. San Antonio, TX
Total systems architect jobs: 185 Average annual salary: $94,004 Lowest 10 percent warn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 15.85 9. Louisville, KY
Total systems architect jobs: 33 Average annual salary: $91,784 Lowest 10 percent warn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 4.71 10. San Francisco, CA
Total systems architect jobs: 152 Average annual salary: $123,589 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 3.82
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Best cities for systems architects
- San Jose, CA
- Henderson, NV
- Durham, NC
- Fremont, CA
- Chandler, AZ
- Charlotte, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- San Antonio, TX
- Louisville, KY
- San Francisco, CA
- (172 systems architect jobs)
- (7 systems architect jobs)
- (41 systems architect jobs)
- (43 systems architect jobs)
- (63 systems architect jobs)
- (163 systems architect jobs)
- (42 systems architect jobs)
- (185 systems architect jobs)
- (33 systems architect jobs)
- (152 systems architect jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a systems architect
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $123,655 | $85,000 | 1,025,350 | 172 |
| 2 | Henderson, NV | $105,799 | $72,000 | 292,969 | 7 |
| 3 | Durham, NC | $98,271 | $70,000 | 263,016 | 41 |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $123,432 | $84,000 | 233,136 | 43 |
| 5 | Chandler, AZ | $96,743 | $66,000 | 247,477 | 63 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $96,784 | $69,000 | 842,051 | 163 |
| 7 | Raleigh, NC | $98,298 | $70,000 | 458,880 | 42 |
| 8 | San Antonio, TX | $94,004 | $65,000 | 1,492,510 | 185 |
| 9 | Louisville, KY | $91,784 | $65,000 | 597,337 | 33 |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | $123,589 | $85,000 | 870,887 | 152 |
| 11 | Austin, TX | $93,847 | $65,000 | 947,890 | 188 |
| 12 | Winston-Salem, NC | $97,624 | $70,000 | 242,203 | 7 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $96,906 | $66,000 | 1,615,017 | 107 |
| 14 | Fort Worth, TX | $93,095 | $65,000 | 854,113 | 113 |
| 15 | Pittsburgh, PA | $95,764 | $68,000 | 303,625 | 44 |
| 16 | Greensboro, NC | $97,844 | $70,000 | 287,027 | 9 |
| 17 | Irvine, CA | $115,623 | $80,000 | 266,122 | 129 |
| 18 | Irving, TX | $92,866 | $65,000 | 238,289 | 129 |
| 19 | Lubbock, TX | $94,905 | $65,000 | 252,506 | 4 |
| 20 | Plano, TX | $92,638 | $64,000 | 286,057 | 2 |
| 21 | Philadelphia, PA | $97,626 | $70,000 | 1,567,872 | 43 |
| 22 | Toledo, OH | $91,109 | $65,000 | 278,508 | 5 |
| 23 | Cincinnati, OH | $90,664 | $64,000 | 298,800 | 27 |
| 24 | Norfolk, VA | $105,695 | $76,000 | 245,115 | 15 |
| 25 | Lincoln, NE | $92,927 | $66,000 | 280,364 | 13 |
| 26 | Dallas, TX | $92,832 | $64,000 | 1,317,929 | 162 |
| 27 | Scottsdale, AZ | $96,816 | $66,000 | 246,645 | 13 |
| 28 | Las Vegas, NV | $106,158 | $72,000 | 632,912 | 14 |
| 29 | Sacramento, CA | $120,846 | $83,000 | 495,234 | 24 |
| 30 | Oakland, CA | $123,355 | $84,000 | 420,005 | 8 |
| 31 | Houston, TX | $93,064 | $64,000 | 2,303,482 | 194 |
| 32 | Atlanta, GA | $92,358 | $66,000 | 472,522 | 242 |
| 33 | Columbus, OH | $91,328 | $65,000 | 860,090 | 25 |
| 34 | Cleveland, OH | $91,777 | $65,000 | 385,809 | 7 |
| 35 | Long Beach, CA | $116,127 | $80,000 | 470,130 | 8 |
| 36 | North Las Vegas, NV | $106,006 | $72,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 37 | Reno, NV | $106,367 | $73,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 38 | Milwaukee, WI | $89,016 | $64,000 | 595,047 | 33 |
| 39 | Madison, WI | $88,620 | $64,000 | 252,551 | 31 |
| 40 | Jersey City, NJ | $101,435 | $73,000 | 264,152 | 83 |
| 41 | San Diego, CA | $114,688 | $79,000 | 1,406,630 | 88 |
| 42 | Mesa, AZ | $96,708 | $66,000 | 484,587 | 3 |
| 43 | Colorado Springs, CO | $94,487 | $66,000 | 465,101 | 46 |
| 44 | Lexington, KY | $92,314 | $65,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 45 | Nashville, TN | $85,487 | $61,000 | 660,388 | 41 |
| 46 | Saint Louis, MO | $91,447 | $65,000 | 311,404 | 44 |
| 47 | Stockton, CA | $121,896 | $83,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 48 | Santa Ana, CA | $115,782 | $80,000 | 334,217 | 5 |
| 49 | Fresno, CA | $121,773 | $83,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 50 | Omaha, NE | $93,207 | $67,000 | 446,970 | 11 |
Highest paying cities for systems architects
| Rank | City | Avg. systems architect salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino, CA | $123,865 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $108,123 |
| 3 | Reston, VA | $105,559 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $101,607 |
| 5 | Trenton, NJ | $101,554 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $99,816 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $99,387 |
| 8 | Cary, NC | $98,226 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $96,906 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh, PA | $95,764 |
| 11 | Portland, OR | $95,721 |
| 12 | Denver, CO | $94,364 |
| 13 | San Antonio, TX | $94,004 |
| 14 | Bellevue, NE | $93,194 |
| 15 | Alpharetta, GA | $92,680 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $92,474 |
| 17 | Dearborn, MI | $88,627 |
| 18 | Orlando, FL | $84,443 |
| 19 | Collierville, TN | $84,291 |
Systems architect best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025