Tokyo Ranked 6th for Software Careers

In the ever-evolving tech industry, software professionals are in higher demand than ever, with the field expected to grow 11% in the next decade. Emerging areas such as iGaming and virtual reality are driving this surge, so where should software engineers go to best advance their careers? 

Software solutions provider NSoft has determined a list of top global cities for software professionals, with Tokyo coming in 6th. The rankings were determined by evaluating various factors, such as average salaries, the concentration of software companies, living costs and overall quality of life.

Tokyo shines as a global hotspot for software careers, bringing together innovation, opportunity and a vibrant tech scene. With top-tier companies, competitive pay and a dynamic quality of life, the city is a playground for tech talent driving the future of innovation.

San Francisco secured the top spot on the list, as the city remains a premier destination for software careers, thanks to its proximity to Silicon Valley and nearly 7,000 leading tech companies, including tech giants such as Google, Apple and Meta. The city offers some of the highest salaries in the industry, averaging $137,800 annually, but comes with a steep cost of living, with monthly expenses exceeding $1,565 excluding rent.

In second place, Singapore offers more than 13,400 job openings in the software industry. The city stands out for its impressive broadband speed of 285 Mbps (megabits per second). Compared to cities such as San Francisco, Singapore boasts a more affordable cost of living, with competitive salaries averaging $56,787. For software professionals seeking a growing market that balances opportunity and affordability, this is an increasingly attractive option.

Ranking third overall, the city of Amsterdam offers more than 16,000 open software roles and a thriving tech scene. Known for its strong work-life balance and cultural diversity, Amsterdam provides a more affordable cost of living compared to other major tech hubs, with an average salary of $78,383.

Here is the full list:

1. San Francisco, USA
2. Singapore, Singapore
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
4. Washington D.C., USA
5. Abu Dhabi, UAE
6. Tokyo, Japan
7. Zurich, Switzerland
8. Seattle, USA
9. Copenhagen, Denmark and Toronto, Canada, tied
10. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
11. Madrid, Spain
12. London, UK
13. Bangalore, India and Lausanne, Switzerland, tied
14. Paris, France
15. Barcelona, Spain
16. Munich, Germany
17. Stockholm, Sweden
18. Berlin, Germany
19. Tel Aviv, Israel
20. Melbourne, Australia