Best cities for a systems engineer and team lead
The best cities for systems engineers and team lead are Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco, CA, and Reno, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for systems engineers and team lead vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for systems engineers and team lead in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a systems engineer and team lead or considering a move, this list of the best cities for systems engineers and team lead to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for systems engineers and team lead. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a systems engineer and team lead. While the absolute best city for systems engineers and team lead is Philadelphia, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for systems engineers and team lead in 2024.
If you're looking for a systems engineer and team lead job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for systems engineers and team lead in 2025
1. Philadelphia, PA
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $119,925 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $156,000 Location quotient: 6.30 2. San Francisco, CA
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $138,291 Lowest 10 percent warn: $101,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $189,000 Location quotient: 3.81 3. Reno, NV
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $120,457 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $164,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Pittsburgh, PA
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $117,090 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Las Vegas, NV
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $116,689 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $158,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. North Las Vegas, NV
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $116,482 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $158,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. San Jose, CA
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $137,729 Lowest 10 percent warn: $100,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location quotient: 2.15 8. Henderson, NV
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $115,549 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $156,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Fremont, CA
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $137,906 Lowest 10 percent warn: $100,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Oakland, CA
Total systems engineer and team lead jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $138,126 Lowest 10 percent warn: $101,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for systems engineers and team lead
- Philadelphia, PA
- San Francisco, CA
- Reno, NV
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Las Vegas, NV
- North Las Vegas, NV
- San Jose, CA
- Henderson, NV
- Fremont, CA
- Oakland, CA
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Detailed list of the best cities for a systems engineer and team lead
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $119,925 | $92,000 | 1,567,872 | 4 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $138,291 | $101,000 | 870,887 | 5 |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $120,457 | $88,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $117,090 | $89,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $116,689 | $85,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 6 | North Las Vegas, NV | $116,482 | $85,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $137,729 | $100,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 8 | Henderson, NV | $115,549 | $85,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 9 | Fremont, CA | $137,906 | $100,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 10 | Oakland, CA | $138,126 | $101,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $107,085 | $82,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 12 | Stockton, CA | $137,328 | $100,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 13 | Sacramento, CA | $136,929 | $100,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 14 | Omaha, NE | $105,998 | $81,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 15 | Lincoln, NE | $105,952 | $81,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 16 | Raleigh, NC | $100,655 | $77,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 17 | Nashville, TN | $96,811 | $74,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 18 | Durham, NC | $100,465 | $77,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 19 | Memphis, TN | $96,681 | $74,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 20 | Fresno, CA | $135,334 | $99,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 21 | Seattle, WA | $117,194 | $87,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 22 | Portland, OR | $116,545 | $86,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 23 | Glendale, AZ | $102,637 | $77,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 24 | Bakersfield, CA | $131,119 | $96,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 25 | Anaheim, CA | $123,012 | $91,000 | 351,043 | 3 |
| 26 | Phoenix, AZ | $102,575 | $77,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 27 | Scottsdale, AZ | $102,426 | $77,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 28 | Chandler, AZ | $102,360 | $77,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 29 | Boston, MA | $114,514 | $88,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 30 | Gilbert, AZ | $102,297 | $77,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 31 | Mesa, AZ | $102,289 | $77,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 32 | Greensboro, NC | $99,655 | $76,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 33 | Los Angeles, CA | $124,618 | $92,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 34 | Winston-Salem, NC | $99,230 | $76,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 35 | Tucson, AZ | $101,693 | $77,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 36 | Long Beach, CA | $123,164 | $91,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 37 | Colorado Springs, CO | $108,292 | $81,000 | 465,101 | 4 |
| 38 | Charlotte, NC | $98,510 | $75,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 39 | Cleveland, OH | $92,784 | $71,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 40 | Riverside, CA | $122,645 | $91,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 41 | Aurora, CO | $108,062 | $81,000 | 361,710 | 2 |
| 42 | Santa Ana, CA | $122,620 | $91,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 43 | San Antonio, TX | $97,843 | $74,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 44 | Irvine, CA | $122,278 | $91,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 45 | Laredo, TX | $97,687 | $74,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 46 | Austin, TX | $97,668 | $74,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 47 | Houston, TX | $97,297 | $74,000 | 2,303,482 | 5 |
| 48 | Toledo, OH | $91,736 | $70,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 49 | El Paso, TX | $99,281 | $75,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 50 | Columbus, OH | $91,715 | $70,000 | 860,090 | - |
Highest paying cities for systems engineers and team lead
| Rank | City | Avg. systems engineer and team lead salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $138,291 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $119,925 |
| 3 | University Place, WA | $117,755 |
| 4 | Cambridge, MA | $114,435 |
| 5 | Colorado Springs, CO | $108,292 |
| 6 | Ann Arbor, MI | $106,773 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $104,896 |
| 8 | Arlington, VA | $104,534 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $104,198 |
| 10 | Tucson, AZ | $101,693 |
| 11 | Peachtree City, GA | $98,798 |
| 12 | Charlotte, NC | $98,510 |
| 13 | Austin, TX | $97,668 |
| 14 | American Fork, UT | $96,966 |
| 15 | Saint Paul, MN | $94,978 |
| 16 | Skokie, IL | $94,764 |
| 17 | Brookfield, WI | $93,407 |
| 18 | Middletown, CT | $92,632 |
| 19 | Huntsville, AL | $90,925 |
| 20 | Middletown, OH | $90,690 |











