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What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary in San Francisco, CA is $124,912 per year.

San Francisco, CA, offers a dynamic job market with competitive salaries across various industries. The average yearly salary in the area is $124,912. This figure highlights the opportunities available for skilled professionals. Salaries range from lower-tier positions to higher-paying roles, ensuring options for different career stages.


Breaking down the salary distribution, the data shows a wide range of earnings. At the lower end, positions pay around $39,500 per year. Mid-level jobs offer salaries of about $112,564 annually. On the higher end, top-tier roles can reach up to $307,400 per year. This range reflects the diverse economic landscape in San Francisco, offering various opportunities for growth and advancement.

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

San Francisco offers some of the best-paying jobs in the country. Professionals can expect competitive salaries in top-tier roles. Research Engineers, Physicians, and Directors of Engineering lead the pack with high average salaries. These jobs attract top talent and offer significant financial rewards. High-paying positions also include roles like Principal Engineers, Directors of Enterprise Strategy, and General Counsel. These jobs provide stability and excellent compensation. Job seekers in San Francisco can find rewarding opportunities with strong earnings potential.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Research Engineer with the highest at $308,215 and Staff Engineer with the lowest at $226,186.
  1. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $308,215
    Research Engineers work for tech giants, leveraging deep learning and AI. They develop new algorithms and improve existing products. Companies like Google and Tesla offer exciting opportunities in this field.
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  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $289,289
    Physicians provide essential healthcare services to patients. They diagnose and treat various medical conditions. Many opportunities exist in renowned hospitals like UCSF and Kaiser Permanente.
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  3. Director Engineering
    Average Salary: $268,549
    Directors of Engineering oversee large engineering teams. They manage projects and ensure they meet deadlines and quality standards. Working with companies like Slack and LinkedIn can be very rewarding.
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  4. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $266,676
    Directors of Enterprise Strategy develop long-term plans to help companies grow. They analyze market trends and business data. Roles at companies such as Salesforce and Oracle are highly competitive.
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  5. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $244,852
    General Counsels provide legal advice to their organizations. They handle legal issues and ensure compliance with laws. Companies like Uber and Airbnb need skilled legal professionals.
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  6. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $237,921
    Primary Care Physicians offer general medical care to patients. They manage chronic conditions and coordinate care with specialists. Opportunities are abundant in healthcare systems like Kaiser Permanente and UCSF.
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  7. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $237,690
    Principal Engineers design and implement engineering solutions. They lead projects and mentor junior engineers. Companies like Google and Apple look for top-tier engineering talent.
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  8. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $236,180
    These professionals focus on business growth and innovation. They develop strategies to enhance company performance. Working with tech firms like Salesforce offers exciting career prospects.
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  9. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $233,336
    General Dentists provide dental care to patients of all ages. They perform exams, clean teeth, and treat dental issues. Practices like Kaiser Permanente and UCSF offer many opportunities.
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  10. Staff Engineer
    Average Salary: $226,186
    Staff Engineers design and develop software applications. They work closely with development teams to solve complex technical challenges. Companies like Airbnb and Slack are known for hiring talented engineers.
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What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA without a degree?

San Francisco offers many high-paying job opportunities that do not require a college degree. Professionals can earn a good income in fields such as tree care, hospitality, and food service. For example, an Arborist Climber can make around $61,059 a year. Jobs in hospitality and food service also offer strong salaries. Roles such as Banquet Houseperson or Kitchen Manager can pay around $57,400 to $51,066 a year. These jobs provide both good earnings and the chance to gain valuable skills in a bustling industry.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA without a degree, highlighting Arborist Climber with the highest at $61,059 and Seafood Team Member with the lowest at $49,209.
  1. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $61,059
    Professionals in this role climb and cut down trees. They work for companies that maintain urban forests. This work requires a deep understanding of tree health and safety measures.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Banquet Houseperson
    Average Salary: $57,400
    In this position, individuals prepare and clean banquet areas. They ensure a smooth setup and takedown for events. This job involves working in high-end venues like hotels and convention centers.
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  3. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $55,483
    Floor techs clean and maintain floors in various settings. They use specialized equipment to polish and wax. They often work in office buildings, hotels, and shopping centers.
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  4. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $55,420
    This role involves maintaining and designing outdoor spaces. Landscapers plant, prune, and fertilize. They work for landscaping companies and private clients, creating beautiful and functional outdoor areas.
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  5. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $55,333
    Housekeepers clean rooms in hotels or residential properties. They ensure everything is tidy and orderly. This job requires attention to detail and a strong work ethic.
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  6. Food Preparer
    Average Salary: $55,197
    Food preparers cook meals for various establishments. They follow recipes and ensure food is ready on time. They often work in restaurants, hotels, and catering companies.
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  7. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $52,659
    Server assistants help in restaurants by taking orders and clearing tables. They ensure a smooth dining experience. They often work alongside servers in busy dining areas.
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  8. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $52,547
    Canvassers go door-to-door to promote products or services. They engage with customers and collect information. This role is common in sales and political campaigns.
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  9. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $51,066
    Kitchen managers oversee the kitchen staff and operations. They ensure food quality and kitchen cleanliness. They work in restaurants, catering companies, and hotels.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Seafood Team Member
    Average Salary: $49,209
    Seafood team members prepare and serve seafood dishes. They work in fast-paced environments, ensuring a quick service. They often work in seafood restaurants and food trucks.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in San Francisco, CA?

In San Francisco, some of the top-paying companies attract highly skilled workers with competitive salaries. Leading the pack, OpenAI offers an impressive average salary of $305,122. This is followed closely by Lambda, which provides an average salary of $265,494. These companies reflect San Francisco's strong job market for those in specialized fields. Other notable companies in San Francisco also offer strong salaries. Palm Health Resources, LifeStance Health, and Grammarly are among those providing average salaries above $200,000. Companies like Cisco, Pinterest, Okta, Harvey, and Waymo offer salaries close to $225,000 on average. These positions show that San Francisco remains a top destination for those seeking high-paying jobs.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $305,122 and Waymo with the lowest at $217,681.
  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $305,122
    OpenAI is a tech company focused on developing AI. They aim for safe and beneficial AI. Employees enjoy a competitive salary and perks.


  2. Lambda
    Average Salary: $265,494
    Lambda is a coding school. They provide hands-on tech training. Graduates find jobs quickly. Salaries are among the highest in the area.


  3. Palm Health Resources
    Average Salary: $228,258
    Palm Health Resources offers staffing solutions. They work with healthcare providers. Employees receive good benefits and salaries.


  4. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $226,331
    LifeStance Health provides mental health services. They aim to improve patient care. Staff enjoy a stable income and good benefits.


  5. Grammarly
    Average Salary: $224,976
    Grammarly makes writing easier. Their software helps users write clearly. Employees get competitive pay and perks.


  6. Cisco
    Average Salary: $224,973
    Cisco is a tech giant. They provide networking solutions. Employees enjoy good salaries and career growth.


  7. Pinterest
    Average Salary: $222,158
    Pinterest is a social media platform. Users share images and ideas. Employees receive good pay and benefits.


  8. Okta
    Average Salary: $220,977
    Okta offers identity management solutions. They help businesses keep data secure. Staff enjoy a good salary and benefits.


  9. Harvey
    Average Salary: $220,889
    Harvey uses AI to help lawyers. They make legal work easier. Employees get good pay and perks.


  10. Waymo
    Average Salary: $217,681
    Waymo works on self-driving cars. They aim to make travel safer. Employees enjoy good salaries and benefits.

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

San Francisco, CA, has a high cost of living, with the housing index at 267%, more than double the nationwide average of 100%. Other categories like groceries (128%), transportation (134%), and healthcare (141%) also exceed the national average, impacting overall living expenses significantly.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Francisco, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 167% higher, groceries 28% higher, utilities 1% higher, transportation 34% higher, healthcare 41% higher, miscellaneous 17% higher.

San Francisco, California, shows a significantly higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. Housing costs are a major factor, with the city's index at 267, almost three times the national average of 100. This means residents pay nearly 167% more for housing here than the typical American.


Beyond housing, San Francisco's groceries cost 28% more, with an index of 128, and transportation costs 34% higher, indexed at 134. Even utilities, at 101, show a modest increase. Healthcare costs are also elevated, with an index of 141, reflecting a 41% increase above the national average. Miscellaneous costs stand at 17% higher with an index of 117. Together, these indices paint a clear picture of San Francisco's elevated living expenses.

There are 6,603 job openings in San Francisco, CA, today!

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

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City
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San Francisco, CA
6,603 Job Openings