Best cities for a systems engineer
The best cities for systems engineers are Omaha, NE, San Jose, CA, and North Las Vegas, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for systems engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for systems engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a systems engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for systems engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for systems engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a systems engineer. While the absolute best city for systems engineers is Omaha, NE, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for systems engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a systems engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for systems engineers in 2025
1. Omaha, NE
Systems engineer jobs in OmahaTotal systems engineer jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $84,511 Lowest 10 percent warn: $63,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $112,000 Location quotient: 4.09 2. San Jose, CA
Systems engineer jobs in San JoseTotal systems engineer jobs: 214 Average annual salary: $101,668 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $139,000 Location quotient: 5.57 3. North Las Vegas, NV
Systems engineer jobs in North Las VegasTotal systems engineer jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $83,764 Lowest 10 percent warn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 3.21 4. Fremont, CA
Systems engineer jobs in FremontTotal systems engineer jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $102,136 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $140,000 Location quotient: 4.15 5. Irving, TX
Systems engineer jobs in IrvingTotal systems engineer jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $79,767 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 8.47 6. San Francisco, CA
Systems engineer jobs in San FranciscoTotal systems engineer jobs: 212 Average annual salary: $102,767 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $140,000 Location quotient: 3.12 7. Plano, TX
Systems engineer jobs in PlanoTotal systems engineer jobs: 199 Average annual salary: $79,453 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 6.90 8. Memphis, TN
Systems engineer jobs in MemphisTotal systems engineer jobs: 189 Average annual salary: $76,133 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Location quotient: 3.05 9. Austin, TX
Systems engineer jobs in AustinTotal systems engineer jobs: 28 Average annual salary: $81,705 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 3.80 10. Detroit, MI
Systems engineer jobs in DetroitTotal systems engineer jobs: 130 Average annual salary: $80,826 Lowest 10 percent warn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $106,000 Location quotient: 1.96
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Best cities for systems engineers
- Omaha, NE
- San Jose, CA
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Fremont, CA
- Irving, TX
- San Francisco, CA
- Plano, TX
- Memphis, TN
- Austin, TX
- Detroit, MI
Detailed list of the best cities for a systems engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha, NE | $84,511 | $63,000 | 446,970 | 17 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $101,668 | $74,000 | 1,025,350 | 214 |
| 3 | North Las Vegas, NV | $83,764 | $61,000 | 238,702 | 11 |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $102,136 | $74,000 | 233,136 | 6 |
| 5 | Irving, TX | $79,767 | $60,000 | 238,289 | 25 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $102,767 | $74,000 | 870,887 | 212 |
| 7 | Plano, TX | $79,453 | $60,000 | 286,057 | 199 |
| 8 | Memphis, TN | $76,133 | $58,000 | 652,717 | 189 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $81,705 | $62,000 | 947,890 | 28 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $80,826 | $61,000 | 672,795 | 130 |
| 11 | Fort Worth, TX | $79,991 | $60,000 | 854,113 | 206 |
| 12 | Chandler, AZ | $77,838 | $58,000 | 247,477 | 171 |
| 13 | Houston, TX | $81,331 | $61,000 | 2,303,482 | 178 |
| 14 | Dallas, TX | $79,791 | $60,000 | 1,317,929 | 247 |
| 15 | Phoenix, AZ | $77,924 | $58,000 | 1,615,017 | 113 |
| 16 | Philadelphia, PA | $80,936 | $61,000 | 1,567,872 | 12 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh, PA | $79,528 | $60,000 | 303,625 | 190 |
| 18 | San Antonio, TX | $82,015 | $62,000 | 1,492,510 | 185 |
| 19 | Scottsdale, AZ | $77,875 | $58,000 | 246,645 | 131 |
| 20 | Seattle, WA | $91,195 | $67,000 | 704,352 | 36 |
| 21 | Las Vegas, NV | $83,802 | $61,000 | 632,912 | 95 |
| 22 | Charlotte, NC | $73,701 | $56,000 | 842,051 | 194 |
| 23 | Nashville, TN | $76,580 | $58,000 | 660,388 | 111 |
| 24 | Durham, NC | $74,884 | $57,000 | 263,016 | 162 |
| 25 | Milwaukee, WI | $72,933 | $55,000 | 595,047 | 13 |
| 26 | Lincoln, NE | $84,281 | $63,000 | 280,364 | 40 |
| 27 | Long Beach, CA | $91,226 | $68,000 | 470,130 | 100 |
| 28 | Cincinnati, OH | $76,568 | $58,000 | 298,800 | 93 |
| 29 | Sacramento, CA | $101,544 | $74,000 | 495,234 | 90 |
| 30 | Irvine, CA | $91,001 | $68,000 | 266,122 | 214 |
| 31 | Columbus, OH | $77,833 | $59,000 | 860,090 | 167 |
| 32 | Atlanta, GA | $76,010 | $58,000 | 472,522 | 234 |
| 33 | Cleveland, OH | $78,190 | $59,000 | 385,809 | 56 |
| 34 | Greensboro, NC | $74,526 | $57,000 | 287,027 | 68 |
| 35 | San Diego, CA | $90,306 | $67,000 | 1,406,630 | 131 |
| 36 | Oakland, CA | $102,585 | $74,000 | 420,005 | 25 |
| 37 | Louisville, KY | $72,381 | $55,000 | 597,337 | 92 |
| 38 | Colorado Springs, CO | $77,689 | $58,000 | 465,101 | 219 |
| 39 | El Paso, TX | $82,943 | $62,000 | 683,080 | 12 |
| 40 | Oklahoma City, OK | $73,214 | $55,000 | 638,367 | 126 |
| 41 | Madison, WI | $72,650 | $55,000 | 252,551 | 144 |
| 42 | Jersey City, NJ | $82,688 | $63,000 | 264,152 | 180 |
| 43 | Raleigh, NC | $74,918 | $57,000 | 458,880 | 128 |
| 44 | Tucson, AZ | $77,558 | $58,000 | 530,706 | 61 |
| 45 | Virginia Beach, VA | $85,052 | $65,000 | 452,602 | 38 |
| 46 | Arlington, TX | $79,953 | $60,000 | 392,772 | 17 |
| 47 | Indianapolis, IN | $74,797 | $57,000 | 855,164 | 149 |
| 48 | Reno, NV | $87,560 | $64,000 | 245,255 | 10 |
| 49 | Norfolk, VA | $84,982 | $65,000 | 245,115 | 41 |
| 50 | Henderson, NV | $83,312 | $61,000 | 292,969 | 3 |
Highest paying cities for systems engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. systems engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $102,767 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $91,195 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $87,893 |
| 4 | Annapolis, MD | $87,485 |
| 5 | Reston, VA | $85,319 |
| 6 | Bellevue, NE | $84,510 |
| 7 | Middletown, NJ | $82,817 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $82,152 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $81,705 |
| 10 | Middletown, PA | $80,951 |
| 11 | Dearborn, MI | $80,813 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $77,924 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $77,833 |
| 14 | Colorado Springs, CO | $77,689 |
| 15 | Bentonville, AR | $77,175 |
| 16 | Huntsville, AL | $76,756 |
| 17 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $76,707 |
| 18 | Middletown, CT | $76,221 |
| 19 | Chicago, IL | $76,091 |
| 20 | Alpharetta, GA | $76,082 |
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Updated January 8, 2025