Best cities for a test engineer
The best cities for test engineers are San Jose, CA, Fremont, CA, and Chandler, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for test engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for test engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a test engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for test engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for test engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a test engineer. While the absolute best city for test engineers is San Jose, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for test engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a test engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for test engineers in 2026
1. San Jose, CA
Test engineer jobs in San JoseTotal test engineer jobs: 147 Average annual salary: $108,231 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $148,000 Location quotient: 17.29 2. Fremont, CA
Test engineer jobs in FremontTotal test engineer jobs: 165 Average annual salary: $108,316 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $148,000 Location quotient: 10.98 3. Chandler, AZ
Test engineer jobs in ChandlerTotal test engineer jobs: 154 Average annual salary: $79,788 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 20.77 4. Tucson, AZ
Test engineer jobs in TucsonTotal test engineer jobs: 93 Average annual salary: $79,192 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 11.01 5. Scottsdale, AZ
Test engineer jobs in ScottsdaleTotal test engineer jobs: 50 Average annual salary: $80,015 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 6.44 6. San Francisco, CA
Test engineer jobs in San FranciscoTotal test engineer jobs: 224 Average annual salary: $108,643 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $148,000 Location quotient: 3.00 7. Phoenix, AZ
Test engineer jobs in PhoenixTotal test engineer jobs: 175 Average annual salary: $80,034 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 3.75 8. Henderson, NV
Total test engineer jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $83,415 Lowest 10 percent warn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 2.89 9. Long Beach, CA
Test engineer jobs in Long BeachTotal test engineer jobs: 29 Average annual salary: $93,379 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 6.36 10. Irvine, CA
Test engineer jobs in IrvineTotal test engineer jobs: 201 Average annual salary: $92,677 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 9.85
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Best cities for test engineers
- San Jose, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Chandler, AZ
- Tucson, AZ
- Scottsdale, AZ
- San Francisco, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Henderson, NV
- Long Beach, CA
- Irvine, CA
Detailed list of the best cities for a test engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $108,231 | $79,000 | 1,025,350 | 147 |
| 2 | Fremont, CA | $108,316 | $79,000 | 233,136 | 165 |
| 3 | Chandler, AZ | $79,788 | $60,000 | 247,477 | 154 |
| 4 | Tucson, AZ | $79,192 | $60,000 | 530,706 | 93 |
| 5 | Scottsdale, AZ | $80,015 | $60,000 | 246,645 | 50 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $108,643 | $79,000 | 870,887 | 224 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $80,034 | $60,000 | 1,615,017 | 175 |
| 8 | Henderson, NV | $83,415 | $61,000 | 292,969 | 6 |
| 9 | Long Beach, CA | $93,379 | $69,000 | 470,130 | 29 |
| 10 | Irvine, CA | $92,677 | $69,000 | 266,122 | 201 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $88,170 | $65,000 | 704,352 | 193 |
| 12 | San Diego, CA | $90,694 | $68,000 | 1,406,630 | 58 |
| 13 | Omaha, NE | $73,436 | $57,000 | 446,970 | 103 |
| 14 | Pittsburgh, PA | $72,686 | $56,000 | 303,625 | 75 |
| 15 | Greensboro, NC | $70,627 | $55,000 | 287,027 | 104 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $73,236 | $56,000 | 947,890 | 131 |
| 17 | Las Vegas, NV | $84,181 | $62,000 | 632,912 | 36 |
| 18 | Irving, TX | $71,973 | $55,000 | 238,289 | 252 |
| 19 | Plano, TX | $71,741 | $55,000 | 286,057 | 11 |
| 20 | Dallas, TX | $71,975 | $55,000 | 1,317,929 | 52 |
| 21 | Santa Ana, CA | $92,958 | $69,000 | 334,217 | 11 |
| 22 | Durham, NC | $71,116 | $55,000 | 263,016 | 49 |
| 23 | Cleveland, OH | $70,454 | $55,000 | 385,809 | 21 |
| 24 | Anaheim, CA | $93,326 | $69,000 | 351,043 | 9 |
| 25 | Raleigh, NC | $71,154 | $55,000 | 458,880 | 58 |
| 26 | Philadelphia, PA | $75,297 | $58,000 | 1,567,872 | 62 |
| 27 | Albuquerque, NM | $73,488 | $56,000 | 559,277 | 27 |
| 28 | Wichita, KS | $72,816 | $57,000 | 389,902 | 16 |
| 29 | North Las Vegas, NV | $84,104 | $61,000 | 238,702 | 1 |
| 30 | Oakland, CA | $108,447 | $79,000 | 420,005 | 7 |
| 31 | Houston, TX | $72,782 | $55,000 | 2,303,482 | 195 |
| 32 | Charlotte, NC | $69,599 | $54,000 | 842,051 | 190 |
| 33 | Columbus, OH | $69,314 | $54,000 | 860,090 | 59 |
| 34 | Milwaukee, WI | $68,722 | $54,000 | 595,047 | 57 |
| 35 | Fort Worth, TX | $72,139 | $55,000 | 854,113 | 28 |
| 36 | Mesa, AZ | $79,794 | $60,000 | 484,587 | 3 |
| 37 | New Orleans, LA | $73,488 | $56,000 | 391,495 | 11 |
| 38 | Memphis, TN | $66,838 | $52,000 | 652,717 | 41 |
| 39 | Jersey City, NJ | $80,909 | $62,000 | 264,152 | 103 |
| 40 | Glendale, AZ | $80,050 | $60,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 41 | Reno, NV | $87,414 | $64,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 42 | Detroit, MI | $73,838 | $58,000 | 672,795 | 19 |
| 43 | Sacramento, CA | $106,591 | $78,000 | 495,234 | 10 |
| 44 | Stockton, CA | $107,281 | $78,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 45 | El Paso, TX | $75,093 | $57,000 | 683,080 | 6 |
| 46 | Colorado Springs, CO | $73,349 | $56,000 | 465,101 | 183 |
| 47 | Fresno, CA | $105,652 | $77,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 48 | Gilbert, AZ | $79,757 | $60,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 49 | Fort Wayne, IN | $69,323 | $54,000 | 264,488 | 7 |
| 50 | Madison, WI | $68,426 | $54,000 | 252,551 | 39 |
Highest paying cities for test engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. test engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $108,643 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $88,170 |
| 3 | Hillsboro, OR | $82,847 |
| 4 | Annapolis, MD | $82,247 |
| 5 | Jersey City, NJ | $80,909 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $80,034 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $79,607 |
| 8 | Reston, VA | $78,774 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $78,439 |
| 10 | Hartford, CT | $74,473 |
| 11 | Troy, MI | $73,837 |
| 12 | Omaha, NE | $73,436 |
| 13 | Colorado Springs, CO | $73,349 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $73,236 |
| 15 | Overland Park, KS | $73,029 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh, PA | $72,686 |
| 17 | Greensboro, NC | $70,627 |
| 18 | Northbrook, IL | $70,545 |
| 19 | Columbus, OH | $69,314 |
| 20 | Columbus, IN | $68,489 |
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Updated January 8, 2025