The cities that give you the best chance at a $100,000 salary — and where your money will go the furthest

For many Americans, reaching a six-figure salary represents a career milestone — but in addition to your skills, education, and industry, where you live can make a big difference.

In some urban areas of the United States, earning a salary of over $100,000 is more accessible than in others. Tech hubs, government centers, and areas with a strong corporate presence tend to offer more high-paying roles, while the cost of living determines how far these earnings go. A recent study by ScoutLogic compared nearly 40 metro areas nationwide to find where workers have the greatest opportunity to earn six figures right now — and the best locations are spread across the country.

How the site shapes your odds of winning $100,000

The study found that geography plays a significant role in potential salaries. Areas with thriving technology, government, and corporate sectors tend to offer more six-figure opportunities, while local costs determine how far these profits go.

ScoutLogic, a company that provides background screening services, identified the best fields for six-figure salaries by evaluating the percentage of jobs that pay an annual salary of at least $100,000, median household income, salary growth, and estimated monthly expenses. Based on the data, each metropolitan area received a score based on the chance of earning a six-figure salary, taking into account typical monthly expenses in the area. The study included data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and cost of living databases.

“This study reveals which metros provide the basic conditions for high-income earners: strong labor markets, competitive salaries, and manageable living expenses,” said David Garcia, co-founder and CEO of ScoutLogic. Location is not the only factor; It’s also important to think about areas where your skills are in demand, he said.

5 US metros top six-figure salary rankings

California holds the top two spots on the list: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont. San Jose, the largest city in Silicon Valley, hosts major technology companies such as Apple and Google. San Francisco, often considered the financial center of the western United States, is home to leading brokerage firms and banking companies.

In third place is Denver-Aurora-Centennial in Colorado The region, which offers a wide range of opportunities in technology, space and energy. Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) are among the major aerospace employers with a strong presence in the region.

It is followed by the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria region, which includes D.C. and parts of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. Besides the federal government, major industries here include health care, education, and cybersecurity.

Rounding out fifth place is the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro region, which spans Oregon and Washington states. Nike (NKE), Fred Meyer, and Columbia Sportswear (COLM) are headquartered here, and major employers like Intel (INTC) and Boeing (BA) continue to drive job growth in the region.

How does it compare to other major metros?

The remaining metro areas in the top 10 are spread across the country and balance wage potential with the cost of living. Boston and Seattle both have a higher share of six-figure jobs than cities like Denver or Portland, but they score lower overall due to higher costs of living.

San Diego, Charlotte and Salt Lake City also ranked in the top 10, combining strong income potential with relatively moderate expenses. Salt Lake City stands out as the least expensive city of the group, showing that even a smaller share of jobs worth more than $100,000 can still go a long way there.

Here are all the metro areas included in the study: