Best cities for a therapist
The best cities for therapists are Reno, NV, Santa Ana, CA, and Philadelphia, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for therapists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for therapists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a therapist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for therapists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for therapists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a therapist. While the absolute best city for therapists is Reno, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for therapists in 2024.
If you're looking for a therapist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for therapists in 2026
1. Reno, NV
Therapist jobs in RenoTotal therapist jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $63,719 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 1.15 2. Santa Ana, CA
Therapist jobs in Santa AnaTotal therapist jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $70,630 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 1.23 3. Philadelphia, PA
Therapist jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal therapist jobs: 92 Average annual salary: $58,386 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location quotient: 0.97 4. Oakland, CA
Therapist jobs in OaklandTotal therapist jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $77,779 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $119,000 Location quotient: 0.69 5. Virginia Beach, VA
Therapist jobs in Virginia BeachTotal therapist jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $64,857 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $100,000 Location quotient: 1.07 6. Chesapeake, VA
Therapist jobs in ChesapeakeTotal therapist jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $64,466 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $100,000 Location quotient: 1.15 7. Fresno, CA
Therapist jobs in FresnoTotal therapist jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $76,086 Lowest 10 percent warn: $49,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 0.73 8. Newark, NJ
Therapist jobs in NewarkTotal therapist jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $72,322 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 0.61 9. Long Beach, CA
Therapist jobs in Long BeachTotal therapist jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $71,007 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 0.92 10. Cleveland, OH
Therapist jobs in ClevelandTotal therapist jobs: 30 Average annual salary: $51,851 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $78,000 Location quotient: 0.96
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Best cities for therapists
- Reno, NV
- Santa Ana, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Oakland, CA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Chesapeake, VA
- Fresno, CA
- Newark, NJ
- Long Beach, CA
- Cleveland, OH
Detailed list of the best cities for a therapist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno, NV | $63,719 | $42,000 | 245,255 | 17 |
| 2 | Santa Ana, CA | $70,630 | $46,000 | 334,217 | 12 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,386 | $38,000 | 1,567,872 | 92 |
| 4 | Oakland, CA | $77,779 | $50,000 | 420,005 | 13 |
| 5 | Virginia Beach, VA | $64,857 | $41,000 | 452,602 | 14 |
| 6 | Chesapeake, VA | $64,466 | $41,000 | 237,940 | 6 |
| 7 | Fresno, CA | $76,086 | $49,000 | 522,053 | 8 |
| 8 | Newark, NJ | $72,322 | $47,000 | 281,764 | 14 |
| 9 | Long Beach, CA | $71,007 | $46,000 | 470,130 | 11 |
| 10 | Cleveland, OH | $51,851 | $34,000 | 385,809 | 30 |
| 11 | Los Angeles, CA | $71,690 | $46,000 | 3,976,322 | 104 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | $56,418 | $37,000 | 303,625 | 39 |
| 13 | Norfolk, VA | $64,670 | $41,000 | 245,115 | 10 |
| 14 | New Orleans, LA | $61,603 | $39,000 | 391,495 | 9 |
| 15 | Anaheim, CA | $70,827 | $46,000 | 351,043 | 6 |
| 16 | El Paso, TX | $56,041 | $37,000 | 683,080 | 8 |
| 17 | Mesa, AZ | $54,373 | $36,000 | 484,587 | 10 |
| 18 | Toledo, OH | $51,320 | $33,000 | 278,508 | 7 |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $60,981 | $40,000 | 632,912 | 19 |
| 20 | Saint Paul, MN | $58,848 | $40,000 | 302,398 | 20 |
| 21 | Glendale, AZ | $54,638 | $36,000 | 245,895 | 5 |
| 22 | Hempstead, NY | $61,281 | $40,000 | 759,757 | 2 |
| 23 | Minneapolis, MN | $58,798 | $40,000 | 413,651 | 35 |
| 24 | San Jose, CA | $77,691 | $50,000 | 1,025,350 | 42 |
| 25 | Tucson, AZ | $53,603 | $36,000 | 530,706 | 19 |
| 26 | Sacramento, CA | $76,591 | $50,000 | 495,234 | 12 |
| 27 | Fort Wayne, IN | $48,872 | $32,000 | 264,488 | 16 |
| 28 | Corpus Christi, TX | $55,523 | $35,000 | 325,733 | 2 |
| 29 | Phoenix, AZ | $54,615 | $36,000 | 1,615,017 | 67 |
| 30 | Winston-Salem, NC | $52,335 | $33,000 | 242,203 | 7 |
| 31 | Tulsa, OK | $48,251 | $33,000 | 403,090 | 33 |
| 32 | Arlington, TX | $54,614 | $36,000 | 392,772 | 4 |
| 33 | San Francisco, CA | $77,931 | $50,000 | 870,887 | 28 |
| 34 | Baltimore, MD | $62,119 | $40,000 | 614,664 | 50 |
| 35 | Columbus, OH | $50,934 | $33,000 | 860,090 | 39 |
| 36 | Jersey City, NJ | $72,347 | $47,000 | 264,152 | 9 |
| 37 | Fremont, CA | $77,689 | $50,000 | 233,136 | 5 |
| 38 | San Antonio, TX | $55,570 | $36,000 | 1,492,510 | 15 |
| 39 | Washington, DC | $69,093 | $45,000 | 681,170 | 58 |
| 40 | Laredo, TX | $55,606 | $35,000 | 257,156 | 1 |
| 41 | Austin, TX | $55,431 | $36,000 | 947,890 | 34 |
| 42 | Cincinnati, OH | $49,306 | $32,000 | 298,800 | 24 |
| 43 | Oklahoma City, OK | $48,609 | $33,000 | 638,367 | 30 |
| 44 | Albuquerque, NM | $52,645 | $35,000 | 559,277 | 14 |
| 45 | Chicago, IL | $55,189 | $36,000 | 2,704,958 | 99 |
| 46 | Gilbert, AZ | $54,340 | $36,000 | 237,133 | 2 |
| 47 | Stockton, CA | $76,939 | $50,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 48 | Aurora, CO | $48,570 | $34,000 | 361,710 | 32 |
| 49 | San Diego, CA | $68,409 | $45,000 | 1,406,630 | 40 |
| 50 | North Las Vegas, NV | $60,804 | $40,000 | 238,702 | - |
Highest paying cities for therapists
| Rank | City | Avg. therapist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $77,931 |
| 2 | Baltimore, MD | $62,119 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $61,297 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $60,755 |
| 5 | Portland, ME | $58,928 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $58,798 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,386 |
| 8 | San Antonio, TX | $55,570 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $55,189 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $54,615 |
| 11 | Wake Forest, NC | $53,430 |
| 12 | Portland, OR | $52,994 |
| 13 | Cleveland, OH | $51,851 |
| 14 | Atlanta, GA | $50,118 |
| 15 | Colorado Springs, CO | $48,985 |
| 16 | Salt Lake City, UT | $48,369 |
| 17 | Knoxville, TN | $46,582 |
| 18 | Saint Louis, MO | $44,396 |
| 19 | Kansas City, KS | $44,226 |
Therapist best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025