Overview Salaries

Salaries in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Mar 10, 2026
City
Salary

What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary in San Francisco, CA is $121,198 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $121,198 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $10,100 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $2,331 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $58 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Job seekers in San Francisco, CA, have the chance to explore a variety of salary ranges across different industries. The average yearly salary in the area is approximately $121,198. This figure represents the middle of a wide salary spectrum. Understanding the distribution of salaries can help job seekers make informed decisions.


Here is a breakdown of how the salary data distributes:

  • 23.74% of jobs offer a salary of around $39,180.
  • 14.04% of jobs have a salary of about $62,618.
  • 9.62% of jobs provide a salary of close to $86,056.
  • 9.49% of jobs pay around $109,495.
  • 8.93% of jobs offer a salary of approximately $132,933.
  • 9.18% of jobs have a salary of nearly $156,371.
  • 7.86% of jobs provide a salary of about $179,809.
  • 5.16% of jobs pay around $203,247.
  • 3.68% of jobs offer a salary of approximately $226,685.
  • 1.97% of jobs have a salary of about $250,124.
  • 1.32% of jobs provide a salary of close to $273,562.
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What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA?

San Francisco offers some of the top paying jobs in the nation. Research Engineers and Physicians lead the pack with the highest average salaries. These positions demand specialized skills and education, but they reward professionals with substantial income. Other high-paying roles include Platform Director, General Counsel, and Director of Enterprise Strategy. These jobs involve leading teams, managing large projects, and making strategic decisions. They offer not only high salaries but also opportunities for career growth. Job seekers should consider these roles for their potential to provide both financial stability and professional development.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Research Engineer with the highest at $293,737 and Staff Engineer with the lowest at $214,438.

  1. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $293,737
    Research engineers work in a fast-paced tech environment. They develop and implement research projects. Companies like Google and Uber value their expertise.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $261,014
    Physicians provide essential healthcare services. They diagnose and treat various conditions. Hospitals and clinics, such as UCSF Health, seek skilled professionals.
    Find Physician jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Platform Director
    Average Salary: $250,380
    Platform directors oversee the development of digital platforms. They ensure they meet user needs. Tech giants like Salesforce and Oracle hire these leaders.
    Find Platform Director jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $237,573
    General counsels handle legal matters for companies. They advise on regulations and manage risk. Major corporations like LinkedIn and PayPal value their skills.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA


  5. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $236,175
    Directors of enterprise strategy develop long-term plans. They ensure alignment with business goals. Companies like Salesforce and IBM seek strategic thinkers.
    Find Director of Enterprise Strategy jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $231,615
    General dentists provide essential dental care. They perform routine check-ups and procedures. Practices like UCSF Dental Center and private practices hire these professionals.
    Find General Dentist jobs in San Francisco, CA


  7. Director of Engineering
    Average Salary: $230,194
    Directors of engineering lead teams to develop software and hardware. They ensure projects meet deadlines. Tech companies like Apple and LinkedIn need these leaders.
    Find Director of Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA


  8. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $229,356
    Principal engineers design and implement complex systems. They guide junior engineers. Companies like Google and Microsoft hire these experts.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $223,242
    Primary care physicians offer general medical services. They manage chronic conditions and provide preventive care. Healthcare providers like Kaiser Permanente seek these professionals.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Staff Engineer
    Average Salary: $214,438
    Staff engineers develop and improve software systems. They collaborate with teams to solve technical problems. Companies like Facebook and Twitter hire these engineers.
    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 roles without requiring a college degree. Restaurant managers lead teams and manage operations, earning around $75,943 annually. Landscapers, who shape and maintain outdoor spaces, can make about $74,166 a year. Other top-paying jobs include canvassers, who discuss political or social issues, and arborist climbers, who work on tree care, both earning over $69,000 annually. These positions allow for solid income with less education, providing diverse opportunities in a vibrant city.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $75,943 and Bar Back with the lowest at $51,806.

  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $75,943
    Run the day-to-day operations of popular eateries. Oversee staff, manage inventory, and ensure customer satisfaction. Work at spots like Bouchon and Tartine Bakery.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $74,166
    Maintain and beautify the outdoor areas of homes and businesses. Use tools to plant, prune, and water. Companies like The Greenest Thumb offer diverse projects.
    Find Landscaper jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $69,344
    Speak with residents about various products and services. Work for firms doing door-to-door outreach. Collect information and promote offerings in a polite manner.
    Find Canvasser jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $58,165
    Trim and prune trees using climbing equipment. Ensure tree health and safety. Often work for companies like Arbor Care Inc.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in San Francisco, CA


  5. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $56,871
    Maintain the cleanliness of floors in commercial spaces. Use cleaning equipment to sweep, mop, and sanitize. Companies look for reliable and quick workers.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $53,866
    Clean and maintain rooms in hotels and residential buildings. Ensure a tidy and inviting environment. Work for establishments such as Fairmont Hotels and Apartments.com.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in San Francisco, CA


  7. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $52,360
    Oversee kitchen staff and operations. Ensure food quality and safety. Work at establishments like Bouchon Bakery and Tartine Bakery.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  8. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $52,116
    Help servers in providing excellent service to customers. Set tables and clean up. Work in restaurants like The Slanted Door and Nopa.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Banquet Houseperson
    Average Salary: $51,992
    Prepare banquet areas for events. Set up tables, chairs, and serve food. Work for venues hosting large gatherings.
    Find Banquet Houseperson jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Bar Back
    Average Salary: $51,806
    Support bartenders in serving drinks. Prepare ingredients and clean bar areas. Work in busy bars and lounges across the city.
    Find Bar Back jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

Companies in San Francisco offer some of the best salaries in the tech industry. Leading the pack is OpenAI, with an average salary of $306,687. Following closely, Waymo provides an average salary of $217,085. These figures highlight the strong financial opportunities available for skilled professionals in the city. Other notable companies include Okta, Quizlet, and SAP, all of which pay over $200,000 on average. Salesforce, LifeStance Health, Cisco, Pinterest, and Discord also offer competitive salaries, making San Francisco an attractive location for job seekers.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $306,687 and Discord with the lowest at $208,530.

  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $306,687
    OpenAI aims to ensure artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. It is a leading company in AI research.


  2. Waymo
    Average Salary: $217,085
    Waymo focuses on developing self-driving technology. It strives to make transportation safer and more accessible.


  3. Okta
    Average Salary: $214,594
    Okta is a leading identity management company. It helps businesses manage user access to applications.


  4. Quizlet
    Average Salary: $212,898
    Quizlet offers tools to help people practice and master any subject. It is a popular educational platform.


  5. SAP
    Average Salary: $212,673
    SAP provides enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations. It is a global leader in the industry.


  6. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $212,332
    Salesforce is a cloud-based software company. It helps companies connect with their customers in a whole new way.


  7. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $211,882
    LifeStance Health is a mental health care company. It provides services to help people improve their mental well-being.


  8. Cisco
    Average Salary: $211,741
    Cisco is a technology company. It specializes in networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and more.


  9. Pinterest
    Average Salary: $211,728
    Pinterest is a visual discovery engine. It helps people find inspiration for what they want to do and places they want to go.


  10. Discord
    Average Salary: $208,530
    Discord is a voice, video, and text communication service. It is popular among gamers and communities.

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 city's overall cost of living index is 160, which means it is 60% higher than the national average of 100. This elevated cost is mainly driven by housing prices, which are 150% above the national average. For job seekers considering San Francisco, this data suggests they will need to budget much more for daily expenses, especially housing. While the city offers high wages and career opportunities, the increased cost of living must be weighed when deciding if the benefits outweigh the expenses.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Francisco, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 150% higher, groceries 26% higher, utilities 14% higher, transportation 39% higher, healthcare 21% higher, miscellaneous 38% higher.

San Francisco, CA, has a high cost of living compared to the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs in San Francisco are notably higher, with an index of 250. This means that housing expenses are 150% higher than the national average. Job seekers should prepare for significantly higher rents or mortgage payments, as this category alone shows such a substantial increase.


Other areas also reflect elevated costs. Groceries have a cost of living index of 126, meaning they are 26% more expensive than the average. Utilities, which include electricity, gas, and water, are 14% higher at 114. Transportation costs show a 39% increase with an index of 139. While healthcare and miscellaneous costs are also above average, with indexes of 121 and 138 respectively, they do not rise as sharply as housing costs. These details highlight the financial considerations job seekers must factor in when relocating to San Francisco.

There are 8,672 job openings in San Francisco, CA, today!

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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.
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San Francisco, CA
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