Best cities for a Leader
The best cities for leaders are Toledo, OH, Boston, MA, and Anchorage, AK, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for leaders vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for leaders in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a leader or considering a move, this list of the best cities for leaders to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for leaders. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a leader. While the absolute best city for leaders is Toledo, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for leaders in 2024.
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10 best cities for Leaders In 2025
1. Toledo, OH
Leader Jobs in ToledoTotal Leader jobs: 31 Average annual salary: $85,102 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $156,000 Location quotient: 1.41 2. Boston, MA
Leader Jobs in BostonTotal Leader jobs: 49 Average annual salary: $104,649 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 0.86 3. Anchorage, AK
Leader Jobs in AnchorageTotal Leader jobs: 28 Average annual salary: $94,104 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 1.12 4. Columbus, OH
Leader Jobs in ColumbusTotal Leader jobs: 201 Average annual salary: $80,878 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $155,000 Location quotient: 0.91 5. Detroit, MI
Leader Jobs in DetroitTotal Leader jobs: 76 Average annual salary: $89,874 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 0.73 6. New Orleans, LA
Leader Jobs in New OrleansTotal Leader jobs: 37 Average annual salary: $86,282 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $171,000 Location quotient: 0.82 7. Oakland, CA
Leader Jobs in OaklandTotal Leader jobs: 48 Average annual salary: $99,284 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $194,000 Location quotient: 1.02 8. Cincinnati, OH
Leader Jobs in CincinnatiTotal Leader jobs: 93 Average annual salary: $76,303 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $153,000 Location quotient: 0.87 9. Mesa, AZ
Leader Jobs in MesaTotal Leader jobs: 20 Average annual salary: $81,718 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $168,000 Location quotient: 0.86 10. Newark, NJ
Leader Jobs in NewarkTotal Leader jobs: 42 Average annual salary: $102,116 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 0.73
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Best cities for leaders
- Toledo, OH
- Boston, MA
- Anchorage, AK
- Columbus, OH
- Detroit, MI
- New Orleans, LA
- Oakland, CA
- Cincinnati, OH
- Mesa, AZ
- Newark, NJ
Detailed list of the best cities for a Leader
Rank  | City | Average Salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo, OH | $85,102 | $46,000 | 278,508 | 31 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $104,649 | $66,000 | 673,184 | 49 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $94,104 | $67,000 | 298,192 | 28 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $80,878 | $41,000 | 860,090 | 201 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $89,874 | $50,000 | 672,795 | 76 |
| 6 | New Orleans, LA | $86,282 | $43,000 | 391,495 | 37 |
| 7 | Oakland, CA | $99,284 | $50,000 | 420,005 | 48 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $76,303 | $37,000 | 298,800 | 93 |
| 9 | Mesa, AZ | $81,718 | $39,000 | 484,587 | 20 |
| 10 | Newark, NJ | $102,116 | $62,000 | 281,764 | 42 |
| 11 | Cleveland, OH | $86,978 | $48,000 | 385,809 | 51 |
| 12 | San Francisco, CA | $99,542 | $50,000 | 870,887 | 155 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $81,837 | $39,000 | 1,615,017 | 249 |
| 14 | Fort Worth, TX | $83,017 | $39,000 | 854,113 | 57 |
| 15 | Irving, TX | $82,512 | $39,000 | 238,289 | 140 |
| 16 | Jersey City, NJ | $102,181 | $62,000 | 264,152 | 108 |
| 17 | Corpus Christi, TX | $90,114 | $46,000 | 325,733 | 7 |
| 18 | Milwaukee, WI | $80,276 | $42,000 | 595,047 | 75 |
| 19 | Philadelphia, PA | $88,998 | $52,000 | 1,567,872 | 140 |
| 20 | Raleigh, NC | $75,439 | $38,000 | 458,880 | 116 |
| 21 | Minneapolis, MN | $82,088 | $44,000 | 413,651 | 162 |
| 22 | Fort Wayne, IN | $77,692 | $40,000 | 264,488 | 22 |
| 23 | Saint Paul, MN | $82,168 | $44,000 | 302,398 | 81 |
| 24 | Austin, TX | $88,317 | $43,000 | 947,890 | 199 |
| 25 | Sacramento, CA | $98,072 | $49,000 | 495,234 | 87 |
| 26 | Houston, TX | $88,246 | $44,000 | 2,303,482 | 105 |
| 27 | Washington, DC | $105,082 | $58,000 | 681,170 | 213 |
| 28 | New York, NY | $103,452 | $63,000 | 8,537,673 | 17 |
| 29 | Anaheim, CA | $94,086 | $47,000 | 351,043 | 21 |
| 30 | Dallas, TX | $82,690 | $39,000 | 1,317,929 | 176 |
| 31 | Los Angeles, CA | $94,497 | $47,000 | 3,976,322 | 88 |
| 32 | Scottsdale, AZ | $81,550 | $39,000 | 246,645 | 37 |
| 33 | El Paso, TX | $88,896 | $43,000 | 683,080 | 16 |
| 34 | Virginia Beach, VA | $82,120 | $43,000 | 452,602 | 32 |
| 35 | Chicago, IL | $84,539 | $43,000 | 2,704,958 | 98 |
| 36 | San Antonio, TX | $89,464 | $45,000 | 1,492,510 | 70 |
| 37 | Glendale, AZ | $81,941 | $39,000 | 245,895 | 8 |
| 38 | North Las Vegas, NV | $69,606 | $33,000 | 238,702 | 7 |
| 39 | Nashville, TN | $66,972 | $32,000 | 660,388 | 126 |
| 40 | Laredo, TX | $90,668 | $47,000 | 257,156 | 2 |
| 41 | Arlington, TX | $83,045 | $39,000 | 392,772 | 10 |
| 42 | Saint Louis, MO | $70,321 | $33,000 | 311,404 | 147 |
| 43 | Garland, TX | $82,097 | $39,000 | 234,943 | 4 |
| 44 | Madison, WI | $78,540 | $41,000 | 252,551 | 52 |
| 45 | Indianapolis, IN | $72,344 | $35,000 | 855,164 | 145 |
| 46 | Atlanta, GA | $75,916 | $37,000 | 472,522 | 107 |
| 47 | Long Beach, CA | $94,250 | $47,000 | 470,130 | 20 |
| 48 | Seattle, WA | $84,466 | $46,000 | 704,352 | 39 |
| 49 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $77,588 | $58,000 | 351,792 | 70 |
| 50 | Winston-Salem, NC | $74,185 | $37,000 | 242,203 | 18 |
Highest paying cities for leaders
| Rank | City | Avg. Leader Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, ME | $108,922 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $105,082 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $104,649 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $103,452 |
| 5 | Hartford, CT | $102,581 |
| 6 | Jersey City, NJ | $102,181 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $99,542 |
| 8 | Wilmington, DE | $99,093 |
| 9 | Baltimore, MD | $90,472 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $89,874 |
| 11 | San Antonio, TX | $89,464 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $88,998 |
| 13 | Arlington, VA | $85,890 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $84,539 |
| 15 | Seattle, WA | $84,466 |
| 16 | Minneapolis, MN | $82,088 |
| 17 | Phoenix, AZ | $81,837 |
| 18 | Columbus, OH | $80,878 |
| 19 | Milwaukee, WI | $80,276 |
| 20 | Columbus, GA | $75,943 |
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Updated January 8, 2025