Best cities for a vehicle operator
The best cities for vehicle operators are Oakland, CA, Columbus, OH, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for vehicle operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for vehicle operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a vehicle operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for vehicle operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for vehicle operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a vehicle operator. While the absolute best city for vehicle operators is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for vehicle operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a vehicle operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for vehicle operators in 2025
1. Oakland, CA
Total vehicle operator jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $72,684 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 9.68 2. Columbus, OH
Total vehicle operator jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $54,698 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 2.77 3. San Francisco, CA
Total vehicle operator jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $72,920 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 1.08 4. Fremont, CA
Total vehicle operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $72,713 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 0.77 5. Las Vegas, NV
Total vehicle operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $55,104 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $121,000 Location quotient: 2.62 6. San Jose, CA
Total vehicle operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $72,861 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 0.44 7. San Diego, CA
Total vehicle operator jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $69,219 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $149,000 Location quotient: 2.03 8. Philadelphia, PA
Total vehicle operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $56,623 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Chandler, AZ
Total vehicle operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $55,617 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 6.22 10. Pittsburgh, PA
Total vehicle operator jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $51,896 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 3.57
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Best cities for vehicle operators
- Oakland, CA
- Columbus, OH
- San Francisco, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Jose, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Chandler, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- (6 vehicle operator jobs)
- (8 vehicle operator jobs)
- (7 vehicle operator jobs)
- (1 vehicle operator jobs)
- (4 vehicle operator jobs)
- (2 vehicle operator jobs)
- (8 vehicle operator jobs)
- (0 vehicle operator jobs)
- (4 vehicle operator jobs)
- (7 vehicle operator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a vehicle operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $72,684 | $31,000 | 420,005 | 6 |
| 2 | Columbus, OH | $54,698 | $26,000 | 860,090 | 8 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $72,920 | $31,000 | 870,887 | 7 |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $72,713 | $31,000 | 233,136 | 1 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $55,104 | $25,000 | 632,912 | 4 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $72,861 | $32,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $69,219 | $32,000 | 1,406,630 | 8 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $56,623 | $25,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 9 | Chandler, AZ | $55,617 | $26,000 | 247,477 | 4 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh, PA | $51,896 | $25,000 | 303,625 | 7 |
| 11 | Anchorage, AK | $77,800 | $37,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $59,225 | $29,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 13 | Wichita, KS | $58,413 | $30,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 14 | Toledo, OH | $56,739 | $28,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 15 | Sacramento, CA | $68,851 | $30,000 | 495,234 | 3 |
| 16 | Phoenix, AZ | $55,647 | $26,000 | 1,615,017 | 9 |
| 17 | Bakersfield, CA | $71,460 | $31,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 18 | Fresno, CA | $71,249 | $31,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 19 | Stockton, CA | $70,986 | $31,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 20 | Los Angeles, CA | $70,780 | $32,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 21 | Long Beach, CA | $70,497 | $32,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 22 | Anaheim, CA | $70,312 | $32,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 23 | Santa Ana, CA | $70,236 | $32,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 24 | Irvine, CA | $70,124 | $32,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 25 | Henderson, NV | $55,161 | $25,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 26 | Riverside, CA | $69,910 | $31,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 27 | Chula Vista, CA | $69,108 | $32,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 28 | North Las Vegas, NV | $54,838 | $24,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 29 | Cincinnati, OH | $50,997 | $25,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 30 | Raleigh, NC | $52,969 | $25,000 | 458,880 | 1 |
| 31 | Milwaukee, WI | $48,598 | $25,000 | 595,047 | 1 |
| 32 | Glendale, AZ | $55,702 | $26,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 33 | Tucson, AZ | $55,624 | $26,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 34 | Durham, NC | $52,997 | $25,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 35 | Saint Louis, MO | $48,181 | $24,000 | 311,404 | 5 |
| 36 | Gilbert, AZ | $55,577 | $26,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 37 | Washington, DC | $71,021 | $33,000 | 681,170 | - |
| 38 | Mesa, AZ | $55,539 | $26,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 39 | Scottsdale, AZ | $55,507 | $26,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 40 | Detroit, MI | $41,758 | $20,000 | 672,795 | 15 |
| 41 | Greensboro, NC | $51,835 | $24,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 42 | Winston-Salem, NC | $51,211 | $24,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 43 | Omaha, NE | $45,972 | $24,000 | 446,970 | 2 |
| 44 | New Orleans, LA | $49,547 | $24,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 45 | Madison, WI | $47,121 | $24,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 46 | Brookhaven, NY | $55,599 | $25,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 47 | Chicago, IL | $53,616 | $27,000 | 2,704,958 | 2 |
| 48 | Nashville, TN | $39,742 | $19,000 | 660,388 | 6 |
| 49 | Islip, NY | $55,560 | $25,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 50 | Oyster Bay, NY | $55,475 | $25,000 | 293,214 | - |
Highest paying cities for vehicle operators
| Rank | City | Avg. vehicle operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain View, CA | $73,041 |
| 2 | Yuma, AZ | $57,218 |
| 3 | Findlay, OH | $55,794 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $55,104 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $53,616 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh, PA | $51,896 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $49,001 |
| 8 | Omaha, NE | $45,972 |
| 9 | Hamilton, NJ | $45,086 |
| 10 | Southaven, MS | $44,371 |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $41,758 |
| 12 | Salt Lake City, UT | $41,674 |
| 13 | Marietta, GA | $41,072 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $40,788 |
| 15 | Indianapolis, IN | $40,336 |
| 16 | Enid, OK | $39,709 |
| 17 | Aurora, CO | $36,225 |
| 18 | Pompano Beach, FL | $34,775 |
Vehicle operator best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025