Best cities for a unit operator
The best cities for unit operators are Memphis, TN, Nashville, TN, and Newark, NJ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for unit operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for unit operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a unit operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for unit operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for unit operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a unit operator. While the absolute best city for unit operators is Memphis, TN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for unit operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a unit operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for unit operators in 2025
1. Memphis, TN
Total unit operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $49,069 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Nashville, TN
Total unit operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $48,015 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Newark, NJ
Total unit operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $52,971 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Jersey City, NJ
Total unit operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $52,952 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Boston, MA
Total unit operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,464 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $81,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Kansas City, MO
Total unit operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $52,444 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Location quotient: 2.34 7. Cleveland, OH
Total unit operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $41,447 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $63,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Saint Paul, MN
Total unit operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,047 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Minneapolis, MN
Total unit operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,046 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Columbus, OH
Total unit operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $41,007 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for unit operators
- Memphis, TN
- Nashville, TN
- Newark, NJ
- Jersey City, NJ
- Boston, MA
- Kansas City, MO
- Cleveland, OH
- Saint Paul, MN
- Minneapolis, MN
- Columbus, OH
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Detailed list of the best cities for a unit operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis, TN | $49,069 | $32,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 2 | Nashville, TN | $48,015 | $31,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 3 | Newark, NJ | $52,971 | $32,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 4 | Jersey City, NJ | $52,952 | $32,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $50,464 | $31,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | $52,444 | $34,000 | 481,420 | 1 |
| 7 | Cleveland, OH | $41,447 | $26,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 8 | Saint Paul, MN | $54,047 | $36,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $54,046 | $36,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 10 | Columbus, OH | $41,007 | $26,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 11 | Saint Louis, MO | $51,780 | $34,000 | 311,404 | - |
| 12 | New York, NY | $51,594 | $31,000 | 8,537,673 | - |
| 13 | Reno, NV | $45,318 | $29,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 14 | Hempstead, NY | $51,515 | $31,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 15 | Oyster Bay, NY | $51,391 | $31,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 16 | Albuquerque, NM | $45,139 | $29,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 17 | Cincinnati, OH | $40,519 | $26,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 18 | Islip, NY | $51,327 | $31,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $44,495 | $29,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 20 | North Las Vegas, NV | $44,457 | $29,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 21 | Brookhaven, NY | $51,136 | $31,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 22 | Henderson, NV | $44,439 | $29,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 23 | Milwaukee, WI | $40,183 | $26,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 24 | Buffalo, NY | $52,275 | $33,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 25 | Madison, WI | $40,100 | $26,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 26 | Charlotte, NC | $40,333 | $26,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 27 | Toledo, OH | $41,456 | $27,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 28 | Winston-Salem, NC | $40,083 | $26,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 29 | Greensboro, NC | $40,052 | $26,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 30 | Durham, NC | $40,007 | $26,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 31 | Raleigh, NC | $39,991 | $26,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 32 | New Orleans, LA | $43,663 | $28,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 33 | San Francisco, CA | $49,237 | $32,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 34 | Lincoln, NE | $40,709 | $27,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 35 | Oakland, CA | $49,197 | $32,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 36 | Anchorage, AK | $46,539 | $37,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 37 | Omaha, NE | $40,569 | $27,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 38 | Fremont, CA | $49,125 | $32,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 39 | San Jose, CA | $49,078 | $32,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 40 | Sacramento, CA | $49,069 | $32,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 41 | Stockton, CA | $49,033 | $32,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 42 | Fresno, CA | $48,652 | $32,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 43 | Pittsburgh, PA | $37,505 | $24,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 44 | Bakersfield, CA | $48,291 | $32,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 45 | Colorado Springs, CO | $43,445 | $28,000 | 465,101 | 7 |
| 46 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,811 | $32,000 | 3,976,322 | 1 |
| 47 | Long Beach, CA | $47,695 | $31,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 48 | Glendale, AZ | $39,392 | $26,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 49 | Anaheim, CA | $47,675 | $31,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 50 | Phoenix, AZ | $39,384 | $26,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
Highest paying cities for unit operators
| Rank | City | Avg. unit operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plymouth, MN | $54,041 |
| 2 | Santa Clara, CA | $49,112 |
| 3 | Gallatin, TN | $47,870 |
| 4 | Colorado Springs, CO | $43,445 |
| 5 | Kettering, OH | $40,745 |
| 6 | Minot, ND | $40,208 |
| 7 | Odessa, TX | $37,908 |
| 8 | Henderson, KY | $36,245 |
| 9 | Pocatello, ID | $36,029 |
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Updated January 8, 2025