Best cities for a systems developer
The best cities for systems developers are Detroit, MI, Henderson, NV, and Boston, MA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for systems developers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for systems developers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a systems developer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for systems developers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for systems developers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a systems developer. While the absolute best city for systems developers is Detroit, MI, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for systems developers in 2024.
If you're looking for a systems developer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for systems developers in 2025
1. Detroit, MI
Total systems developer jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $92,290 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 18.40 2. Henderson, NV
Total systems developer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $93,007 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 17.50 3. Boston, MA
Total systems developer jobs: 32 Average annual salary: $116,936 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $156,000 Location quotient: 10.87 4. Houston, TX
Total systems developer jobs: 80 Average annual salary: $92,510 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $122,000 Location quotient: 17.31 5. Seattle, WA
Total systems developer jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $117,733 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location quotient: 7.19 6. New York, NY
Total systems developer jobs: 157 Average annual salary: $110,904 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $149,000 Location quotient: 11.65 7. Reno, NV
Total systems developer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $99,335 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $135,000 Location quotient: 6.45 8. Philadelphia, PA
Total systems developer jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $96,397 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 6.03 9. Nashville, TN
Total systems developer jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $82,143 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 21.30 10. Durham, NC
Total systems developer jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $87,880 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Location quotient: 14.93
Choose from 10+ customizable systems developer resume templates
Choose from a variety of easy-to-use systems developer resume templates and get expert advice from Zippia’s AI resume writer along the way. Using pre-approved templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your systems developer resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
Best cities for systems developers
- Detroit, MI
- Henderson, NV
- Boston, MA
- Houston, TX
- Seattle, WA
- New York, NY
- Reno, NV
- Philadelphia, PA
- Nashville, TN
- Durham, NC
- (16 systems developer jobs)
- (2 systems developer jobs)
- (32 systems developer jobs)
- (80 systems developer jobs)
- (25 systems developer jobs)
- (157 systems developer jobs)
- (2 systems developer jobs)
- (12 systems developer jobs)
- (23 systems developer jobs)
- (10 systems developer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a systems developer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $92,290 | $69,000 | 672,795 | 16 |
| 2 | Henderson, NV | $93,007 | $68,000 | 292,969 | 2 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $116,936 | $87,000 | 673,184 | 32 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $92,510 | $69,000 | 2,303,482 | 80 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $117,733 | $86,000 | 704,352 | 25 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $110,904 | $82,000 | 8,537,673 | 157 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $99,335 | $72,000 | 245,255 | 2 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $96,397 | $71,000 | 1,567,872 | 12 |
| 9 | Nashville, TN | $82,143 | $62,000 | 660,388 | 23 |
| 10 | Durham, NC | $87,880 | $66,000 | 263,016 | 10 |
| 11 | Fort Worth, TX | $88,091 | $66,000 | 854,113 | 21 |
| 12 | Oakland, CA | $122,681 | $89,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 13 | San Antonio, TX | $93,227 | $70,000 | 1,492,510 | 12 |
| 14 | Pittsburgh, PA | $90,110 | $67,000 | 303,625 | 12 |
| 15 | Lubbock, TX | $88,151 | $66,000 | 252,506 | 2 |
| 16 | Fremont, CA | $122,485 | $89,000 | 233,136 | 4 |
| 17 | Las Vegas, NV | $93,419 | $69,000 | 632,912 | 7 |
| 18 | Toledo, OH | $83,257 | $62,000 | 278,508 | 2 |
| 19 | San Francisco, CA | $123,077 | $89,000 | 870,887 | 17 |
| 20 | Minneapolis, MN | $97,485 | $74,000 | 413,651 | 11 |
| 21 | Chandler, AZ | $91,256 | $68,000 | 247,477 | 4 |
| 22 | Chicago, IL | $92,692 | $69,000 | 2,704,958 | 83 |
| 23 | Jersey City, NJ | $102,769 | $76,000 | 264,152 | 12 |
| 24 | Irving, TX | $87,932 | $66,000 | 238,289 | 26 |
| 25 | San Jose, CA | $122,494 | $89,000 | 1,025,350 | 11 |
| 26 | Austin, TX | $92,310 | $69,000 | 947,890 | 19 |
| 27 | Albuquerque, NM | $99,438 | $75,000 | 559,277 | 1 |
| 28 | Anaheim, CA | $105,217 | $78,000 | 351,043 | 5 |
| 29 | Tucson, AZ | $91,342 | $68,000 | 530,706 | 3 |
| 30 | Dallas, TX | $87,999 | $66,000 | 1,317,929 | 28 |
| 31 | Plano, TX | $87,699 | $66,000 | 286,057 | 16 |
| 32 | Stockton, CA | $120,051 | $87,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 33 | Virginia Beach, VA | $91,506 | $68,000 | 452,602 | 6 |
| 34 | Brookhaven, NY | $112,235 | $83,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 35 | Oyster Bay, NY | $111,557 | $82,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 36 | Santa Ana, CA | $104,921 | $77,000 | 334,217 | 4 |
| 37 | Islip, NY | $111,865 | $83,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 38 | Raleigh, NC | $87,952 | $66,000 | 458,880 | 6 |
| 39 | Sacramento, CA | $118,230 | $86,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 40 | Hempstead, NY | $111,286 | $82,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 41 | Madison, WI | $82,415 | $62,000 | 252,551 | 12 |
| 42 | Milwaukee, WI | $83,100 | $62,000 | 595,047 | 10 |
| 43 | Washington, DC | $106,442 | $79,000 | 681,170 | 86 |
| 44 | Anchorage, AK | $103,138 | $81,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 45 | North Las Vegas, NV | $93,001 | $68,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 46 | Buffalo, NY | $106,925 | $79,000 | 256,902 | 2 |
| 47 | Charlotte, NC | $86,771 | $65,000 | 842,051 | 21 |
| 48 | Fresno, CA | $117,730 | $85,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 49 | Laredo, TX | $94,181 | $70,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 50 | Corpus Christi, TX | $94,129 | $70,000 | 325,733 | - |
Highest paying cities for systems developers
| Rank | City | Avg. systems developer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $123,077 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $117,733 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $116,936 |
| 4 | Babylon, NY | $111,615 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $106,442 |
| 6 | Jersey City, NJ | $102,769 |
| 7 | Stamford, CT | $101,973 |
| 8 | Rockville, MD | $97,884 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $97,485 |
| 10 | Newark, DE | $97,163 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $96,397 |
| 12 | San Antonio, TX | $93,227 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $92,692 |
| 14 | Southfield, MI | $92,291 |
| 15 | Richmond, VA | $90,431 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $88,971 |
| 17 | Morrisville, NC | $87,874 |
| 18 | Saint Louis, MO | $86,854 |
| 19 | Miami, FL | $84,235 |
| 20 | Findlay, OH | $82,469 |
Systems developer best cities FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for systems developer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025