Best cities for a systems programmer
The best cities for systems programmers are Charlotte, NC, Durham, NC, and Pittsburgh, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for systems programmers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for systems programmers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a systems programmer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for systems programmers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for systems programmers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a systems programmer. While the absolute best city for systems programmers is Charlotte, NC, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for systems programmers in 2024.
If you're looking for a systems programmer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for systems programmers in 2025
1. Charlotte, NC
Total systems programmer jobs: 41 Average annual salary: $89,139 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 16.12 2. Durham, NC
Total systems programmer jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $92,266 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $136,000 Location quotient: 12.89 3. Pittsburgh, PA
Total systems programmer jobs: 88 Average annual salary: $86,856 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $124,000 Location quotient: 67.84 4. Portland, OR
Total systems programmer jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $110,815 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 8.21 5. Raleigh, NC
Total systems programmer jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $92,309 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 8.05 6. Columbus, OH
Total systems programmer jobs: 28 Average annual salary: $82,691 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 14.65 7. Fremont, CA
Total systems programmer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $123,977 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $182,000 Location quotient: 3.48 8. San Diego, CA
Total systems programmer jobs: 34 Average annual salary: $108,153 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $158,000 Location quotient: 13.05 9. Anchorage, AK
Total systems programmer jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $93,684 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $122,000 Location quotient: 23.00 10. El Paso, TX
Total systems programmer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $91,770 Lowest 10 percent warn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $136,000 Location quotient: 8.18
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Best cities for systems programmers
- Charlotte, NC
- Durham, NC
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Raleigh, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Fremont, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- El Paso, TX
- (41 systems programmer jobs)
- (9 systems programmer jobs)
- (88 systems programmer jobs)
- (12 systems programmer jobs)
- (9 systems programmer jobs)
- (28 systems programmer jobs)
- (3 systems programmer jobs)
- (34 systems programmer jobs)
- (5 systems programmer jobs)
- (2 systems programmer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a systems programmer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte, NC | $89,139 | $59,000 | 842,051 | 41 |
| 2 | Durham, NC | $92,266 | $62,000 | 263,016 | 9 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $86,856 | $60,000 | 303,625 | 88 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $110,815 | $76,000 | 639,863 | 12 |
| 5 | Raleigh, NC | $92,309 | $62,000 | 458,880 | 9 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $82,691 | $58,000 | 860,090 | 28 |
| 7 | Fremont, CA | $123,977 | $84,000 | 233,136 | 3 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | $108,153 | $73,000 | 1,406,630 | 34 |
| 9 | Anchorage, AK | $93,684 | $71,000 | 298,192 | 5 |
| 10 | El Paso, TX | $91,770 | $61,000 | 683,080 | 2 |
| 11 | San Francisco, CA | $124,553 | $84,000 | 870,887 | 11 |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $111,640 | $76,000 | 3,976,322 | 32 |
| 13 | San Jose, CA | $123,648 | $84,000 | 1,025,350 | 10 |
| 14 | Las Vegas, NV | $92,998 | $62,000 | 632,912 | 4 |
| 15 | Cincinnati, OH | $80,319 | $56,000 | 298,800 | 12 |
| 16 | Glendale, AZ | $87,119 | $59,000 | 245,895 | 2 |
| 17 | Corpus Christi, TX | $85,911 | $55,000 | 325,733 | 4 |
| 18 | Chandler, AZ | $86,955 | $59,000 | 247,477 | 8 |
| 19 | Oakland, CA | $124,374 | $84,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 20 | Sacramento, CA | $123,811 | $84,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 21 | Boston, MA | $99,780 | $68,000 | 673,184 | 17 |
| 22 | Stockton, CA | $123,682 | $84,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 23 | Philadelphia, PA | $90,646 | $62,000 | 1,567,872 | 5 |
| 24 | San Antonio, TX | $88,312 | $57,000 | 1,492,510 | 10 |
| 25 | Seattle, WA | $105,944 | $73,000 | 704,352 | 5 |
| 26 | Reno, NV | $97,491 | $66,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 27 | Fresno, CA | $120,727 | $82,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 28 | Toledo, OH | $84,276 | $59,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 29 | Bakersfield, CA | $116,357 | $79,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 30 | North Las Vegas, NV | $92,764 | $62,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 31 | Henderson, NV | $92,387 | $62,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 32 | Austin, TX | $88,549 | $58,000 | 947,890 | 11 |
| 33 | Houston, TX | $87,071 | $56,000 | 2,303,482 | 25 |
| 34 | Plano, TX | $84,798 | $56,000 | 286,057 | 17 |
| 35 | Dallas, TX | $85,670 | $56,000 | 1,317,929 | 20 |
| 36 | Madison, WI | $80,435 | $57,000 | 252,551 | 26 |
| 37 | Cleveland, OH | $85,999 | $60,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 38 | Greensboro, NC | $90,952 | $61,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 39 | Irvine, CA | $109,948 | $75,000 | 266,122 | 4 |
| 40 | Winston-Salem, NC | $90,503 | $61,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 41 | Irving, TX | $85,595 | $56,000 | 238,289 | 11 |
| 42 | Long Beach, CA | $110,646 | $75,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 43 | Saint Paul, MN | $90,928 | $65,000 | 302,398 | 3 |
| 44 | Anaheim, CA | $110,526 | $75,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 45 | Riverside, CA | $110,233 | $75,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 46 | Santa Ana, CA | $110,223 | $75,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 47 | Baltimore, MD | $101,302 | $70,000 | 614,664 | 13 |
| 48 | Phoenix, AZ | $87,077 | $59,000 | 1,615,017 | 10 |
| 49 | Memphis, TN | $76,802 | $52,000 | 652,717 | 9 |
| 50 | Lubbock, TX | $87,551 | $58,000 | 252,506 | - |
Highest paying cities for systems programmers
| Rank | City | Avg. systems programmer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novato, CA | $124,792 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $110,815 |
| 3 | Bellevue, WA | $105,807 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $101,302 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $99,780 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $99,486 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $95,969 |
| 8 | Cary, NC | $92,089 |
| 9 | Rochester, MN | $90,316 |
| 10 | Alexandria, VA | $89,529 |
| 11 | Austin, TX | $88,549 |
| 12 | Boulder, CO | $87,268 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $87,077 |
| 14 | Pittsburgh, PA | $86,856 |
| 15 | Jersey City, NJ | $85,742 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $85,167 |
| 17 | Columbus, OH | $82,691 |
| 18 | Madison, WI | $80,435 |
| 19 | Alpharetta, GA | $72,190 |
| 20 | Charleston, WV | $72,091 |
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Updated January 8, 2025