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Salary

What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary in San Francisco, CA is $114,111 per year.

San Francisco, CA, offers competitive salaries across various industries. The average yearly salary stands at $114,111. This figure reflects the diverse job market and the high demand for skilled professionals. Salaries range widely, with some sectors offering significantly higher pay.


Here are some common salary ranges in San Francisco:

  • 24.99% of jobs pay around $38,360
  • 14.98% of jobs pay around $60,782
  • 10.55% of jobs pay around $83,204
  • 8.77% of jobs pay around $105,625
  • 8.94% of jobs pay around $128,047
  • 7.71% of jobs pay around $150,469
  • 7.27% of jobs pay around $172,891
  • 4.72% of jobs pay around $195,313
  • 3.73% of jobs pay around $217,735
  • 2.01% of jobs pay around $240,156
  • 1.33% of jobs pay around $262,578
  • Top earners make around $285,000
Job seekers can find opportunities that match their skills and experience levels.

View jobs in San Francisco, CA

What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA?

San Francisco offers some of the top-paying jobs in the nation. Professionals in this city can expect to earn high salaries, especially in certain fields. Research Engineers, Physicians, and General Counsels lead the list with average salaries over $200,000. These roles demand specialized skills and education, making them highly valued. Other high-paying jobs include Directors of Enterprise Strategy, Directors of Engineering, and Principal Engineers. These positions often involve leadership and strategic planning, which are crucial for companies. Technical Directors and Staff Engineers also earn well, with salaries reflecting their technical expertise and experience. Job seekers in San Francisco can find rewarding opportunities with competitive pay in these fields.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Research Engineer with the highest at $281,483 and Staff Engineer with the lowest at $210,792.
  1. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $281,483
    This role involves creating new technologies and improving existing ones. Companies like Google and Apple often seek these experts. They work on projects that can change the tech landscape.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $251,210
    Doctors here provide medical care to patients. They work in top-notch hospitals and clinics. Their expertise helps improve community health and well-being.
    Find Physician jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $233,414
    This position involves legal advice for companies. They handle legal issues and ensure compliance. Firms like Salesforce and Slack often need these professionals.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $230,004
    This role focuses on long-term planning for businesses. They work with top management to set goals. Companies like Salesforce and Uber rely on their strategic insights.
    Find Director of Enterprise Strategy jobs in San Francisco, CA


  5. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $226,231
    Dentists provide oral health care. They work in private practices and clinics. Their services help maintain the dental health of the community.
    Find General Dentist jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. Director of Engineering
    Average Salary: $225,048
    This role leads engineering teams. They oversee projects and ensure quality. Companies like Google and Tesla often seek these leaders.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA


  7. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $220,252
    Principal engineers design and develop technology. They work on complex projects. Firms like Apple and Oracle often need their expertise.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA


  8. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $219,146
    These doctors provide general medical care. They work in clinics and hospitals. Their role is vital in maintaining public health.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Technical Director
    Average Salary: $211,903
    Technical directors lead tech teams. They manage projects and ensure success. Companies like Salesforce and Uber often seek their skills.
    Find Technical Director jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Staff Engineer
    Average Salary: $210,792
    Staff engineers work on technical challenges. They develop solutions and improve systems. Firms like Google and Apple often need their expertise.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA

What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA without a degree?

San Francisco offers several high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Landscapers, for example, earn an average of $73,985 annually. Canvassers also enjoy a strong income, averaging $72,038 per year. Other well-paying positions include restaurant managers, who make around $69,735 a year, and arborist climbers, with an average salary of $58,159. These roles provide good earning potential and valuable work experience.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA without a degree, highlighting Landscaper with the highest at $73,985 and Food Service Aide with the lowest at $49,204.
  1. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $73,985
    Landscapers create and maintain outdoor spaces. They work for companies like Green Thumb Landscapes and local parks. They use tools and plants to design beautiful areas.
    Find Landscaper jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $72,038
    Canvassers visit homes and businesses to gather information. They work for political campaigns and market research firms. They talk to people and collect data for their employers.
    Find Canvasser jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $69,735
    Restaurant managers oversee daily operations. They work for chains like Panera Bread and independent eateries. They manage staff, handle finances, and ensure customer satisfaction.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $58,159
    Arborist climbers trim and prune trees. They work for tree care companies and city parks. They use climbing gear and tools to reach high branches safely.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in San Francisco, CA


  5. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $55,857
    Floor techs clean and maintain floors. They work in offices, hotels, and shopping centers. They use machines and chemicals to keep surfaces spotless.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $52,778
    Housekeepers clean rooms and common areas. They work in hotels, motels, and residential buildings. They tidy up spaces and ensure everything is in order.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in San Francisco, CA


  7. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $52,309
    Server assistants help servers in restaurants. They work for places like The Cheesecake Factory and local diners. They take orders, serve food, and clear tables.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  8. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $51,853
    Kitchen managers oversee kitchen staff. They work in restaurants and cafes. They ensure food is prepared safely and on time.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Bar Back
    Average Salary: $51,527
    Bar backs assist bartenders in bars and restaurants. They work for places like bars and pubs. They prepare drinks, stock supplies, and clean equipment.
    Find Bar Back jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Food Service Aide
    Average Salary: $49,204
    Food service aides help prepare and serve food. They work in schools, hospitals, and cafeterias. They follow recipes and ensure food is ready for customers.
    Find Food Service Aide jobs in San Francisco, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in San Francisco, CA?

Job seekers in San Francisco can find some of the best-paying opportunities with companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. These companies offer average salaries that significantly exceed the city's average, making them attractive options for those seeking higher compensation. For instance, OpenAI provides an average salary of $306,960, while Anthropic offers $292,900. Other notable companies in San Francisco include Palo Alto Networks, Canva, and LifeStance Health, all offering competitive salaries. Palo Alto Networks pays an average of $251,714, Canva offers $226,947, and LifeStance Health provides $211,538. Companies like Pinterest, Waymo, Okta, CRUSOE, and Salesforce also offer attractive compensation packages, with average salaries ranging from $211,037 to $205,807. These figures highlight the potential for high earnings in San Francisco's job market.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $306,960 and Salesforce with the lowest at $205,807.
  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $306,960
    OpenAI is a leading company in artificial intelligence research. It aims to ensure AI benefits all of humanity.


  2. Anthropic
    Average Salary: $292,900
    Anthropic focuses on creating safe and beneficial AI. They work to build AI systems that align with human values.


  3. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $251,714
    Palo Alto Networks is a cybersecurity leader. They provide advanced security solutions to protect businesses from cyber threats.


  4. Canva
    Average Salary: $226,947
    Canva is a graphic design platform that helps people create beautiful visuals easily. It offers tools for everyone, from beginners to professionals.


  5. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $211,538
    LifeStance Health is a mental healthcare company. They provide a range of services to support mental health and well-being.


  6. Pinterest
    Average Salary: $211,037
    Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform. It helps people find inspiration and ideas for their projects.


  7. Waymo
    Average Salary: $210,243
    Waymo is a pioneer in autonomous driving technology. They aim to make transportation safer and more efficient.


  8. Okta
    Average Salary: $207,487
    Okta is a leading identity and access management company. It provides solutions for secure access to applications.


  9. CRUSOE
    Average Salary: $205,809
    CRUSOE is a company focused on providing innovative solutions. They work in various sectors to improve efficiency and effectiveness.


  10. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $205,807
    Salesforce is a global leader in customer relationship management (CRM). They help businesses connect with their customers in new ways.

How does the cost of living in San Francisco, CA compare to the national average?

San Francisco, CA, has a significantly higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The cost of living index in San Francisco is 150, which is 50% higher than the national average of 100. This increase is particularly notable in housing, where the index reaches 250, indicating housing costs are more than double the national average. Other categories like groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous also show elevated costs, though not as dramatically. Groceries stand at 135, utilities at 120, transportation at 150, healthcare at 110, and miscellaneous at 125. These figures highlight the financial considerations job seekers must weigh when contemplating a move to San Francisco.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Francisco, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 150% higher, groceries 35% higher, utilities 20% higher, transportation 50% higher, healthcare 10% higher, miscellaneous 25% higher.

San Francisco, CA, stands out with a significantly higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs in San Francisco are notably 250% of the national average. This means that housing expenses in San Francisco are 150% higher than the average cost across the country. Such a high index reflects the challenges many residents face in finding affordable housing.


Other expenses in San Francisco also exceed the national average. For instance, groceries cost 35% more, utilities are 20% higher, and transportation costs are 50% above the average. Healthcare costs are slightly lower, at 10% above the national average, while miscellaneous expenses are 25% higher. These factors combine to make San Francisco one of the more expensive places to live in the United States.

There are 9,043 job openings in San Francisco, CA, today!

Take a deeper dive into the job market in San Francisco, CA

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City
Overview
San Francisco, CA
9,043 Job Openings