Best cities for a systems engineer/architect
The best cities for systems engineers/architects are Chandler, AZ, San Jose, CA, and Scottsdale, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for systems engineers/architects vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for systems engineers/architects in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a systems engineer/architect or considering a move, this list of the best cities for systems engineers/architects to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for systems engineers/architects. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a systems engineer/architect. While the absolute best city for systems engineers/architects is Chandler, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for systems engineers/architects in 2024.
If you're looking for a systems engineer/architect job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for systems engineers/architects in 2025
1. Chandler, AZ
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $128,517 Lowest 10 percent warn: $91,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 2.29 2. San Jose, CA
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 22 Average annual salary: $148,775 Lowest 10 percent warn: $105,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $210,000 Location quotient: 2.35 3. Scottsdale, AZ
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $128,458 Lowest 10 percent warn: $91,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 1.45 4. San Francisco, CA
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $148,909 Lowest 10 percent warn: $105,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $210,000 Location quotient: 1.44 5. Anaheim, CA
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $139,546 Lowest 10 percent warn: $99,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $195,000 Location quotient: 2.98 6. San Diego, CA
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 21 Average annual salary: $136,322 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $190,000 Location quotient: 2.62 7. Arlington, TX
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $100,164 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 3.15 8. Memphis, TN
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $98,339 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $135,000 Location quotient: 1.15 9. Irvine, CA
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $138,850 Lowest 10 percent warn: $99,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $194,000 Location quotient: 1.38 10. Fremont, CA
Total systems engineer/architect jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $148,614 Lowest 10 percent warn: $105,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $210,000 Location quotient: 0.75
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Best cities for systems engineers/architects
- Chandler, AZ
- San Jose, CA
- Scottsdale, AZ
- San Francisco, CA
- Anaheim, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Arlington, TX
- Memphis, TN
- Irvine, CA
- Fremont, CA
- (3 systems engineer/architect jobs)
- (22 systems engineer/architect jobs)
- (2 systems engineer/architect jobs)
- (19 systems engineer/architect jobs)
- (2 systems engineer/architect jobs)
- (21 systems engineer/architect jobs)
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- (2 systems engineer/architect jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a systems engineer/architect
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandler, AZ | $128,517 | $91,000 | 247,477 | 3 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $148,775 | $105,000 | 1,025,350 | 22 |
| 3 | Scottsdale, AZ | $128,458 | $91,000 | 246,645 | 2 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $148,909 | $105,000 | 870,887 | 19 |
| 5 | Anaheim, CA | $139,546 | $99,000 | 351,043 | 2 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $136,322 | $97,000 | 1,406,630 | 21 |
| 7 | Arlington, TX | $100,164 | $71,000 | 392,772 | 2 |
| 8 | Memphis, TN | $98,339 | $71,000 | 652,717 | 3 |
| 9 | Irvine, CA | $138,850 | $99,000 | 266,122 | 5 |
| 10 | Fremont, CA | $148,614 | $105,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $128,736 | $91,000 | 1,615,017 | 3 |
| 12 | Las Vegas, NV | $119,297 | $83,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $128,848 | $91,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 14 | Los Angeles, CA | $141,019 | $100,000 | 3,976,322 | 11 |
| 15 | Sacramento, CA | $145,736 | $102,000 | 495,234 | 2 |
| 16 | Gilbert, AZ | $128,413 | $91,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 17 | Columbus, OH | $98,487 | $71,000 | 860,090 | 4 |
| 18 | Mesa, AZ | $128,359 | $91,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 19 | Detroit, MI | $102,734 | $74,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 20 | Plano, TX | $99,396 | $71,000 | 286,057 | 6 |
| 21 | Seattle, WA | $117,178 | $83,000 | 704,352 | 12 |
| 22 | Irving, TX | $99,836 | $71,000 | 238,289 | 6 |
| 23 | Nashville, TN | $98,074 | $71,000 | 660,388 | 2 |
| 24 | Tucson, AZ | $127,767 | $90,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 25 | Oakland, CA | $148,619 | $104,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 26 | North Las Vegas, NV | $118,984 | $83,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 27 | Henderson, NV | $118,923 | $83,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 28 | Austin, TX | $103,352 | $73,000 | 947,890 | 10 |
| 29 | Oklahoma City, OK | $96,739 | $69,000 | 638,367 | 3 |
| 30 | San Antonio, TX | $103,954 | $74,000 | 1,492,510 | 4 |
| 31 | Reno, NV | $118,430 | $82,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 32 | Stockton, CA | $146,878 | $103,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 33 | Colorado Springs, CO | $101,384 | $72,000 | 465,101 | 18 |
| 34 | Fresno, CA | $146,143 | $103,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 35 | Long Beach, CA | $139,779 | $99,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 36 | Dallas, TX | $99,841 | $71,000 | 1,317,929 | 6 |
| 37 | Cincinnati, OH | $97,976 | $71,000 | 298,800 | 1 |
| 38 | Greensboro, NC | $89,611 | $65,000 | 287,027 | 4 |
| 39 | Bakersfield, CA | $144,601 | $102,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 40 | Santa Ana, CA | $139,194 | $99,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 41 | Cleveland, OH | $98,186 | $71,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 42 | Riverside, CA | $139,021 | $99,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 43 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $127,722 | $99,000 | 351,792 | 2 |
| 44 | Boston, MA | $105,478 | $76,000 | 673,184 | 17 |
| 45 | Toledo, OH | $97,976 | $71,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 46 | New Orleans, LA | $91,734 | $66,000 | 391,495 | 2 |
| 47 | Chula Vista, CA | $136,048 | $97,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 48 | El Paso, TX | $107,460 | $76,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 49 | Atlanta, GA | $106,258 | $77,000 | 472,522 | 5 |
| 50 | Pittsburgh, PA | $98,222 | $71,000 | 303,625 | - |
Highest paying cities for systems engineers/architects
| Rank | City | Avg. systems engineer/architect salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menlo Park, CA | $149,067 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $117,178 |
| 3 | Alpharetta, GA | $106,264 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $105,478 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $103,352 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $102,734 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, CO | $101,384 |
| 8 | Roy, UT | $99,712 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $98,924 |
| 10 | Conway, AR | $97,134 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $96,361 |
| 12 | New York, NY | $95,265 |
| 13 | Hazelwood, MO | $95,095 |
| 14 | Huntsville, AL | $92,122 |
| 15 | Jersey City, NJ | $91,876 |
| 16 | Richmond, VA | $91,291 |
| 17 | Charlotte, NC | $89,499 |
| 18 | Jacksonville, FL | $87,512 |
| 19 | Indianapolis, IN | $85,901 |
Systems engineer/architect best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025