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What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary in San Francisco, CA is $118,456 per year.

Job seekers in San Francisco, CA, can find many opportunities with competitive salaries. The average yearly salary in the area stands at $118,456. This makes it a lucrative spot for professionals across various industries.

The salary distribution shows a variety of earnings. For instance, those in the top 10% earn $269,445 or more annually. The highest earners, in the top 1%, reach up to $292,500 per year. These numbers reflect the strong job market and high demand for skilled workers in San Francisco.

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

If you are looking for top-paying jobs in San Francisco, several high-salary positions are available. Roles like Research Engineer and Physician lead the list with impressive salaries. General Counsel, Director of Enterprise Strategy, and Director of Engineering also offer competitive pay. These positions demand high skill levels and often require advanced degrees or certifications. The tech and healthcare sectors dominate the highest-paying jobs in the city. Job seekers interested in these roles should focus on acquiring relevant education and experience.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Research Engineer with the highest at $289,278 and General Counsel with the lowest at $236,121.
  1. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $289,278
    Research Engineers work on innovative projects across technology and scientific fields. They contribute to advancements in AI, robotics, and biomedical technology. Tech giants like Google, Apple, and startups in the city offer exciting opportunities.
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  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $251,619
    Physicians provide essential care to patients. They diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions. Hospitals such as UCSF Health and private practices are always in need of skilled doctors.
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  3. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $236,121
    General Counsels advise companies on legal matters. They handle complex legal issues and ensure companies comply with regulations. Major firms and tech companies provide dynamic and rewarding roles.
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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. Canvassers, who often work in political or marketing campaigns, enjoy an average salary of $72,038. Restaurant managers, who oversee daily operations and staff, can earn around $71,770. Arborists, especially those who climb trees to maintain and prune them, have a good earning potential at $58,146. Other roles, such as floor technicians, housekeeping staff, and kitchen managers, also provide competitive salaries. For example, floor technicians and housekeeping workers earn around $57,000, while kitchen managers make about $52,000. These positions offer stable employment and opportunities for advancement.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA without a degree, highlighting Canvasser with the highest at $72,038 and Banquet Houseperson with the lowest at $48,371.
  1. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $72,038
    Engage with potential customers and promote products or services. Represent various companies, from tech giants to local businesses. Speak with people and share information about new products or services.
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  2. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $71,770
    Oversee daily restaurant operations. Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. Manage staff, schedules, and inventories at popular dining establishments.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $58,146
    Climb trees to trim or remove branches. Work in urban areas with dense tree populations. Ensure safety and health of trees in parks and neighborhoods.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $57,362
    Maintain clean and safe floor areas. Perform tasks like sweeping, mopping, and waxing. Work in offices, retail stores, and other commercial spaces.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in San Francisco, CA


  5. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $53,315
    Clean and maintain rooms in hotels or private residences. Ensure a tidy and comfortable environment. Work in a variety of settings from luxury hotels to private homes.
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  6. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $51,695
    Supervise kitchen staff and operations. Oversee food preparation and cooking processes. Work in busy restaurants and food service environments.
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  7. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $51,534
    Help servers with tasks like refilling drinks and clearing tables. Work in various dining establishments. Assist in maintaining a smooth dining experience for customers.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  8. Bar Back
    Average Salary: $51,492
    Support bartenders by preparing drinks and maintaining bar area. Work in bars, restaurants, and event venues. Help ensure a smooth and efficient service flow.
    Find Bar Back jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Food Service Aide
    Average Salary: $49,907
    Assist in food preparation and service tasks. Work in cafeterias, schools, and hospitals. Help ensure food is prepared and served safely and efficiently.
    Find Food Service Aide jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Banquet Houseperson
    Average Salary: $48,371
    Prepare and clean event spaces before and after functions. Work in banquet halls and event centers. Ensure a clean and welcoming environment for guests.
    Find Banquet Houseperson jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

San Francisco is a hub for well-paying tech and health companies. The best-paying companies often lead in technology and healthcare. Leading the pack is OpenAI, offering an average salary of $309,230. Close behind is Anthropic with an average salary of $300,120. Other top-tier companies include Waymo, Quizlet, and Okta. These companies provide competitive salaries, ranging from $214,154 to $211,101. Pinterest, Salesforce, LifeStance Health, SAP, and Discord also offer attractive compensation packages. These companies recognize the talent in the area and reward employees accordingly.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $309,230 and Discord with the lowest at $206,783.
  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $309,230
    OpenAI focuses on artificial intelligence. It's a leading company in tech, known for pushing the boundaries in AI.


  2. Anthropic
    Average Salary: $300,120
    Anthropic works in artificial intelligence, especially in building safe and helpful AI systems.


  3. Waymo
    Average Salary: $214,154
    Waymo is a pioneer in self-driving car technology. It aims to make driving safer and more convenient.


  4. Quizlet
    Average Salary: $211,224
    Quizlet offers tools for students and teachers. It helps people study more effectively using digital flashcards.


  5. Okta
    Average Salary: $211,101
    Okta provides identity and access management services. It helps businesses secure their data and applications.


  6. Pinterest
    Average Salary: $210,787
    Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform. It allows users to find and save ideas.


  7. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $210,353
    Salesforce offers customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. It helps businesses connect with their customers.


  8. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $209,961
    LifeStance Health provides mental health services. It aims to make mental healthcare accessible and effective.


  9. SAP
    Average Salary: $208,618
    SAP offers enterprise software. It helps businesses manage their operations and customer relations.


  10. Discord
    Average Salary: $206,783
    Discord is a communication platform. It's popular among gamers and communities for voice, video, and text chat.

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

The cost of living index in San Francisco, CA, significantly surpasses the nationwide average of 100. Housing costs alone are at 300, representing a 200% increase above the national average. Other categories, such as groceries, utilities, and transportation, also show higher-than-average prices, ranging from 105 to 150. These figures highlight the elevated expenses that residents face compared to the rest of the country.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Francisco, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 200% higher, groceries 15% higher, utilities 50% higher, transportation 30% higher, healthcare 5% higher, miscellaneous 40% higher.

San Francisco, CA has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average in several key areas. Housing in San Francisco is notably expensive, with an index of 300, which is 200% higher than the national average of 100. This means that housing costs in San Francisco are three times higher than the average cost across the country. This significant difference can greatly impact potential job seekers' budgets and living decisions.


When examining other expenses, San Francisco still shows higher costs in various categories. For instance, groceries have a cost of living index of 115, which is 15% higher than the national average. Utilities are 50% more expensive, with an index of 150, and transportation costs are 30% higher at 130. Healthcare, at 105, is just 5% above the national average, and miscellaneous expenses are 40% higher at 140. These factors combined make San Francisco a more expensive place to live overall compared to the rest of the nation.

There are 7,619 job openings in San Francisco, CA, today!

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

Discover what it's like to work in San Francisco, CA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
City
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San Francisco, CA
7,619 Job Openings