Best cities for a technical scientist
The best cities for technical scientists are Indianapolis, IN, Nashville, TN, and Memphis, TN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for technical scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for technical scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a technical scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for technical scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for technical scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a technical scientist. While the absolute best city for technical scientists is Indianapolis, IN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for technical scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a technical scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for technical scientists in 2025
1. Indianapolis, IN
Total technical scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $90,662 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 1.57 2. Nashville, TN
Total technical scientist jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $91,851 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 1.18 3. Memphis, TN
Total technical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $90,669 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Fort Wayne, IN
Total technical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $91,332 Lowest 10 percent warn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Oakland, CA
Total technical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $116,504 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Fremont, CA
Total technical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $116,266 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Reno, NV
Total technical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $94,930 Lowest 10 percent warn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. San Jose, CA
Total technical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $116,099 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. San Francisco, CA
Total technical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $116,686 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Stockton, CA
Total technical scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $115,696 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for technical scientists
- Indianapolis, IN
- Nashville, TN
- Memphis, TN
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Oakland, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Reno, NV
- San Jose, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Stockton, CA
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Detailed list of the best cities for a technical scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis, IN | $90,662 | $64,000 | 855,164 | 2 |
| 2 | Nashville, TN | $91,851 | $64,000 | 660,388 | 1 |
| 3 | Memphis, TN | $90,669 | $62,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 4 | Fort Wayne, IN | $91,332 | $65,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 5 | Oakland, CA | $116,504 | $80,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 6 | Fremont, CA | $116,266 | $80,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $94,930 | $65,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $116,099 | $80,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 9 | San Francisco, CA | $116,686 | $81,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 10 | Stockton, CA | $115,696 | $80,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 11 | Sacramento, CA | $115,675 | $80,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 12 | Las Vegas, NV | $90,344 | $62,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 13 | North Las Vegas, NV | $90,239 | $62,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 14 | San Diego, CA | $103,993 | $72,000 | 1,406,630 | 25 |
| 15 | Fresno, CA | $113,646 | $78,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 16 | Philadelphia, PA | $82,445 | $58,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 17 | Los Angeles, CA | $107,324 | $74,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 18 | Henderson, NV | $89,910 | $61,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 19 | Long Beach, CA | $106,577 | $74,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 20 | Bakersfield, CA | $110,756 | $76,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 21 | Anaheim, CA | $106,426 | $74,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 22 | Pittsburgh, PA | $82,007 | $58,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 23 | Detroit, MI | $81,275 | $58,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 24 | Santa Ana, CA | $106,196 | $73,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 25 | Riverside, CA | $106,090 | $73,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 26 | Phoenix, AZ | $84,376 | $58,000 | 1,615,017 | 3 |
| 27 | Irvine, CA | $105,969 | $73,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 28 | Jersey City, NJ | $98,041 | $70,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 29 | Newark, NJ | $98,020 | $70,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 30 | Glendale, AZ | $84,414 | $58,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 31 | Minneapolis, MN | $85,997 | $62,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 32 | Chula Vista, CA | $103,752 | $72,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 33 | Saint Paul, MN | $85,996 | $62,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 34 | Scottsdale, AZ | $84,299 | $58,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 35 | Anchorage, AK | $90,344 | $72,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 36 | Chandler, AZ | $84,141 | $58,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 37 | Cleveland, OH | $77,114 | $55,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 38 | Durham, NC | $79,631 | $55,000 | 263,016 | 2 |
| 39 | Toledo, OH | $77,041 | $55,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 40 | Mesa, AZ | $84,106 | $58,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 41 | Gilbert, AZ | $84,094 | $58,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 42 | Cincinnati, OH | $76,191 | $53,000 | 298,800 | 1 |
| 43 | Tucson, AZ | $83,426 | $58,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 44 | Columbus, OH | $76,616 | $54,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 45 | Boston, MA | $88,621 | $64,000 | 673,184 | 10 |
| 46 | Louisville, KY | $69,945 | $49,000 | 597,337 | 3 |
| 47 | Portland, OR | $88,048 | $62,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 48 | Raleigh, NC | $79,555 | $55,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 49 | Greensboro, NC | $79,547 | $55,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 50 | Winston-Salem, NC | $79,491 | $55,000 | 242,203 | - |
Highest paying cities for technical scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. technical scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novato, CA | $116,709 |
| 2 | Elizabeth, NJ | $98,009 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $90,662 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $88,621 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $86,546 |
| 6 | Frederick, MD | $82,533 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $82,445 |
| 8 | Wyandotte, MI | $81,245 |
| 9 | Holly Springs, NC | $79,451 |
| 10 | North Chicago, IL | $76,008 |
| 11 | New York, NY | $74,821 |
| 12 | Gainesville, FL | $68,114 |
| 13 | Irving, TX | $62,169 |











