Best cities for a systems operator
The best cities for systems operators are Santa Ana, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and San Diego, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for systems operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for systems operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a systems operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for systems operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for systems operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a systems operator. While the absolute best city for systems operators is Santa Ana, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for systems operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a systems operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for systems operators in 2025
1. Santa Ana, CA
Total systems operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $47,883 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 1.34 2. Las Vegas, NV
Total systems operator jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $38,510 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 1.42 3. San Diego, CA
Total systems operator jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $47,789 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 0.77 4. San Francisco, CA
Total systems operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $48,878 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $66,000 Location quotient: 0.13 5. Irvine, CA
Total systems operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $47,859 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 0.49 6. Oklahoma City, OK
Total systems operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $37,972 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $50,000 Location quotient: 0.33 7. Oakland, CA
Total systems operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $48,808 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $66,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. San Jose, CA
Total systems operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $48,783 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $66,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Colorado Springs, CO
Total systems operator jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $42,205 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $55,000 Location quotient: 2.16 10. El Paso, TX
Total systems operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $38,144 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 1.17
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Best cities for systems operators
- Santa Ana, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Irvine, CA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Oakland, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Colorado Springs, CO
- El Paso, TX
- (1 systems operator jobs)
- (5 systems operator jobs)
- (7 systems operator jobs)
- (2 systems operator jobs)
- (2 systems operator jobs)
- (1 systems operator jobs)
- (0 systems operator jobs)
- (0 systems operator jobs)
- (7 systems operator jobs)
- (1 systems operator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a systems operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Ana, CA | $47,883 | $35,000 | 334,217 | 1 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $38,510 | $28,000 | 632,912 | 5 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $47,789 | $35,000 | 1,406,630 | 7 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $48,878 | $35,000 | 870,887 | 2 |
| 5 | Irvine, CA | $47,859 | $35,000 | 266,122 | 2 |
| 6 | Oklahoma City, OK | $37,972 | $28,000 | 638,367 | 1 |
| 7 | Oakland, CA | $48,808 | $35,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $48,783 | $35,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 9 | Colorado Springs, CO | $42,205 | $32,000 | 465,101 | 7 |
| 10 | El Paso, TX | $38,144 | $28,000 | 683,080 | 1 |
| 11 | Fremont, CA | $48,771 | $35,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $48,009 | $35,000 | 3,976,322 | 3 |
| 13 | Stockton, CA | $48,408 | $35,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $46,342 | $32,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 15 | Lubbock, TX | $36,652 | $27,000 | 252,506 | 2 |
| 16 | Sacramento, CA | $48,226 | $35,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $44,415 | $32,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 18 | Fresno, CA | $48,129 | $35,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 19 | San Antonio, TX | $37,141 | $27,000 | 1,492,510 | 4 |
| 20 | Bakersfield, CA | $48,064 | $35,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 21 | Anchorage, AK | $45,251 | $39,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 22 | Saint Paul, MN | $42,032 | $31,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 23 | Long Beach, CA | $47,977 | $35,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 24 | Minneapolis, MN | $42,031 | $31,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 25 | Cleveland, OH | $35,927 | $24,000 | 385,809 | 1 |
| 26 | Anaheim, CA | $47,883 | $35,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 27 | Tulsa, OK | $37,828 | $28,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 28 | Arlington, TX | $36,343 | $26,000 | 392,772 | 2 |
| 29 | Chula Vista, CA | $47,798 | $35,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 30 | Denver, CO | $42,252 | $32,000 | 693,060 | 9 |
| 31 | Riverside, CA | $47,685 | $35,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 32 | Reno, NV | $38,911 | $29,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 33 | Austin, TX | $36,973 | $27,000 | 947,890 | 7 |
| 34 | Fort Wayne, IN | $36,689 | $26,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 35 | Henderson, NV | $38,483 | $28,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 36 | Chandler, AZ | $36,975 | $27,000 | 247,477 | 2 |
| 37 | Philadelphia, PA | $35,089 | $22,000 | 1,567,872 | 10 |
| 38 | Raleigh, NC | $36,626 | $25,000 | 458,880 | 1 |
| 39 | Albuquerque, NM | $36,039 | $26,000 | 559,277 | 3 |
| 40 | North Las Vegas, NV | $38,424 | $28,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 41 | Toledo, OH | $35,646 | $24,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 42 | Laredo, TX | $37,441 | $27,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 43 | Indianapolis, IN | $35,285 | $25,000 | 855,164 | 1 |
| 44 | Durham, NC | $36,668 | $26,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 45 | Fort Worth, TX | $36,355 | $26,000 | 854,113 | 1 |
| 46 | Virginia Beach, VA | $41,780 | $28,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 47 | Columbus, OH | $34,255 | $24,000 | 860,090 | 2 |
| 48 | Aurora, CO | $42,242 | $32,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 49 | Norfolk, VA | $41,718 | $28,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 50 | Greensboro, NC | $36,557 | $26,000 | 287,027 | - |
Highest paying cities for systems operators
| Rank | City | Avg. systems operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego, CA | $47,789 |
| 2 | Bethesda, MD | $43,562 |
| 3 | Nashua, NH | $43,194 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $42,252 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $41,514 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $40,865 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $38,510 |
| 8 | Rochester, NY | $38,305 |
| 9 | El Paso, TX | $38,144 |
| 10 | Norman, OK | $38,030 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,948 |
| 12 | Lafayette, IN | $35,640 |
| 13 | Tallahassee, FL | $35,566 |
| 14 | Philadelphia, PA | $35,089 |
| 15 | Grand Forks, ND | $34,765 |
| 16 | Florence, AL | $32,998 |
| 17 | Salt Lake City, UT | $32,818 |
| 18 | Laramie, WY | $32,464 |
| 19 | Pocatello, ID | $32,106 |
| 20 | Charleston, SC | $32,086 |
Systems operator best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025