Where Can You Actually Land Jobs Paying Over $500K? Top 10 U.S. Cities That Are Hiring

Ever wondered what jobs pay over 500k a year and where to find them? According to ADP’s latest research, you might be closer to six-figure territory than you think—1 in every 127 jobs in the U.S. crosses the $500,000 annual threshold. But here’s the catch: location is everything.

The Geography of High-Income Jobs

The distribution is wildly uneven across America. While some regions barely crack 0.90% of positions in the six-figure range, others are absolute goldmines for high earners. The research revealed a clear pattern: certain metropolitan areas have fundamentally different job markets than the rest of the country.

San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland Dominates With 2.08%

The Bay Area isn’t just ahead—it’s in a league of its own. One in every 48 jobs pays over $500,000 annually, nearly double Austin’s second-place share. This concentration reflects Silicon Valley’s reality: tech giants like Apple, Google, Intel, and eBay have concentrated their headquarters here, creating an ecosystem where specialized tech expertise commands premium compensation.

The Rest of the Elite List

Austin-Round Rock, Texas claims the second position with 1.16% of jobs crossing the $500K threshold, followed closely by New York-Newark at 1.07%. The Florida markets show surprising strength—Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples (1.02%) and North Port-Sarasota (0.98%) demonstrate that lucrative opportunities extend beyond traditional tech hubs.

Boston-Worcester-Providence rounds out the top five at 1.01%, while Denver-Aurora (0.94%), San Diego-Carlsbad (0.93%), Seattle-Tacoma (0.90%), and Philadelphia-Reading-Camden (0.89%) complete the top ten.

Why These Cities? The Cost of Living Factor

Industry specialization explains part of the story—tech pays premium rates for elite talent. But there’s another layer: economic displacement. High cost of living pushes lower-income workers out, naturally concentrating higher-earning populations. Seven of the nation’s ten most expensive cities to live in overlap with this high-paying jobs list, including San Jose, San Francisco, and New York.

Should You Relocate?

Understanding what jobs pay over 500k a year and where they cluster helps inform career decisions. Whether it’s pursuing tech in California, finance in New York, or exploring emerging hubs like Austin, geographic arbitrage remains a powerful career lever for high earners.