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What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary in San Francisco, CA is $124,543 per year.

San Francisco, CA, offers a range of salaries across different industries. The average yearly salary stands at $124,543. This diverse salary range attracts many job seekers looking for various career opportunities. With a mix of high-paying and moderate-paying jobs, professionals find many options in this city.


Here are some specific salary insights:

  • The highest-paying jobs reach up to $305,000 annually.
  • More than 23% of the population earns between $60,000 and $70,000 per year.
  • Many people in the middle-income range earn between $70,000 and $100,000 per year.
  • Jobs in the lower income range offer salaries between $30,000 and $50,000 annually.
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What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA?

Job seekers looking for top-paying positions in San Francisco can find great opportunities in several fields. Research engineers, physicians, and directors in engineering, platforms, and enterprises all earn high salaries. With expertise in these areas, professionals can expect competitive compensation. Some of the highest-paying jobs in San Francisco include research engineer, physician, and director roles. A research engineer can earn around $304,878, while physicians make about $279,487. Directors in engineering, platform, and enterprise strategy also enjoy high salaries, often above $230,000. These roles offer excellent earning potential for those with the necessary skills and experience.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Research Engineer with the highest at $304,878 and Director of Engineering with the lowest at $233,789.
  1. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $304,878
    This role involves working with tech giants like Google and Apple. It focuses on advancing technology through research and development. The engineer contributes to creating innovative products and solutions.
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  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $279,487
    A physician in San Francisco provides healthcare in a busy environment. They work in top-tier facilities, ensuring patients receive the best care. Experience with UCSF Health and Kaiser Permanente is valuable.
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  3. Director Engineering
    Average Salary: $266,974
    This leader oversees engineering teams in major tech companies. They manage projects and teams to ensure timely and successful product launches. Experience with firms like Salesforce or Dropbox is beneficial.
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  4. Platform Director
    Average Salary: $249,696
    Platform Directors work with companies like Airbnb and Slack. They focus on building and managing platforms that support business growth. This role requires strategic vision and strong technical knowledge.
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  5. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $241,534
    General Counsels provide legal advice to companies in the tech sector. They handle complex legal matters and ensure compliance. Working with firms like Dropbox or Uber is common.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $239,763
    This executive shapes the future direction of tech companies. They develop strategies to drive business growth and innovation. Working with firms like Salesforce or Google is typical.
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  7. Principal Architect
    Average Salary: $238,213
    Principal Architects design systems for major tech companies. They ensure systems are scalable and efficient. Experience with companies like LinkedIn or Salesforce is valuable.
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  8. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $236,348
    Dentists in San Francisco provide a range of dental services. They work in modern facilities and focus on patient care. Experience with clinics like UCSF Dental Center is beneficial.
    Find General Dentist jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $235,408
    Primary Care Physicians provide general medical care. They manage patient health and refer to specialists when needed. Experience with Kaiser Permanente or UCSF Health is common.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Director of Engineering
    Average Salary: $233,789
    Directors of Engineering manage engineering teams at top tech firms. They focus on developing new products and improving existing systems. Experience with firms like Tesla or Uber is beneficial.
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What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA without a degree?

In San Francisco, many top-paying jobs do not require a degree. Among them, Restaurant Managers earn a robust average of $77,975 annually, making it one of the highest-paying roles. Other lucrative positions include Canvassers, Arborist Climbers, and Floor Techs, all providing excellent opportunities for those seeking good pay without a college degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $77,975 and Bar Back with the lowest at $52,377.
  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $77,975
    Manage the day-to-day operations of restaurants. Oversee staff, ensure customer satisfaction, and handle inventory. Companies like Yelp and Uber Eats offer opportunities in the food delivery industry.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $67,635
    Talk to people to gather information or make sales. This role is important for political campaigns and businesses. It involves meeting new people and can lead to networking opportunities.
    Find Canvasser jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $60,006
    Climb trees to trim branches, remove dead trees, and ensure trees are healthy. Working for landscaping firms, this job requires physical fitness and attention to safety.
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  4. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $57,879
    Maintain clean and safe floors in workplaces. This role involves vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping. Working in busy places helps ensure everything looks nice and safe.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in San Francisco, CA


  5. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $57,107
    Design and maintain gardens and outdoor spaces. Tasks include planting, trimming, and landscaping. Companies like Green Thumb Landscapes offer growth opportunities in the horticulture field.
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  6. Banquet Houseperson
    Average Salary: $54,876
    Set up and clean up event spaces. This role is crucial for events like weddings and corporate functions. It requires teamwork and attention to detail for a perfect event.
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  7. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $54,672
    Clean and organize rooms in hotels and offices. This job involves making spaces welcoming and safe for guests. Companies like Hilton and Marriott offer various opportunities.
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  8. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $52,880
    Oversee the kitchen staff and food preparation. This role is key in restaurants, ensuring smooth kitchen operations and food quality. It involves working closely with chefs and kitchen staff.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $52,586
    Help servers with their tasks in a restaurant. Duties include clearing tables and refilling supplies. This job provides a front-line view of the dining experience and opportunities to learn customer service skills.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Bar Back
    Average Salary: $52,377
    Assist bartenders with drinks and bar operations. This role involves keeping the bar area clean and stocked. Working in a busy bar can be fast-paced, requiring good teamwork and multitasking skills.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in San Francisco, CA?

San Francisco offers some of the highest-paying job opportunities in the tech and business sectors. Companies like Anthropic and OpenAI lead the way with average salaries over $300,000. Other top employers such as Okta, Cisco, and Waymo also provide competitive compensation packages. In addition to these tech giants, companies like Airtable, LifeStance Health, and Salesforce continue to offer attractive salaries. This trend suggests that San Francisco remains a prime location for professionals seeking lucrative career opportunities in various industries.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Anthropic with the highest at $358,532 and Discord with the lowest at $215,001.
  1. Anthropic
    Average Salary: $358,532
    Anthropic is a tech company that builds artificial intelligence. They work to make AI safe and beneficial for everyone.


  2. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $305,093
    OpenAI creates advanced AI technologies. They focus on ensuring AI is safe and useful.


  3. Okta
    Average Salary: $220,824
    Okta helps companies manage user access and security. They work to make sure businesses are safe from cyber threats.


  4. Cisco
    Average Salary: $217,009
    Cisco is a global technology leader. They provide networking and communication solutions to businesses.


  5. Waymo
    Average Salary: $216,992
    Waymo focuses on self-driving car technology. They aim to make transportation safer and more efficient.


  6. Airtable
    Average Salary: $216,292
    Airtable offers a flexible database tool. They help teams organize and share information easily.


  7. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $215,550
    LifeStance Health provides mental health services. They offer a range of therapy and psychiatry services.


  8. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $215,124
    Salesforce is a CRM leader. They help companies manage customer relationships and grow their business.


  9. Pinterest
    Average Salary: $215,114
    Pinterest is a visual discovery platform. Users find ideas for projects, recipes, and more through images.


  10. Discord
    Average Salary: $215,001
    Discord is a communication platform for communities. It offers text, voice, and video chat for friends and groups.

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

San Francisco's cost of living index shows a notably high housing cost, at 278 compared to the national average of 100. This represents an increase of 178%. The overall index for San Francisco reflects high expenses, particularly in housing, which is significantly higher than the national benchmark.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Francisco, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 178% higher, groceries 20% higher, utilities 9% higher, transportation 40% higher, healthcare 4% higher, miscellaneous 30% higher.

San Francisco, CA, stands out with a high cost of living index, significantly above the nationwide average of 100. Housing costs are particularly striking, with an index of 278, which is more than double the national average. This makes finding affordable housing one of the biggest challenges for those considering a move to San Francisco.


Other areas also show high expenses compared to the national average. Groceries cost 20% more, with an index of 120. Utilities, while not as steep, still exceed the national average by 9%, with an index of 109. Transportation costs are 40% higher, at an index of 140, reflecting the city's reliance on public transit and higher fuel prices. Healthcare costs, at 104, are only 4% higher than the national average, providing a small relief. Miscellaneous expenses, which include items like clothing and entertainment, are 30% higher, with an index of 130. This data highlights the financial considerations that job seekers must weigh when looking at opportunities in San Francisco.

There are 6,927 job openings in San Francisco, CA, today!

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

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San Francisco, CA
6,927 Job Openings