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What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary in San Francisco, CA is $125,789 per year.

In San Francisco, CA, the average yearly salary stands at $125,789. This high average reflects the city’s strong job market and competitive salaries across various industries. Salaries range from $39,500 for entry-level positions to over $300,000 for top-tier jobs.


The salary distribution shows a clear trend, with the largest percentage of jobs (23.69%) falling between $64,000 and $88,000. Jobs paying between $113,000 and $137,000 represent the second-largest group (13.12%). Some of the highest-paying jobs include technology, finance, and healthcare positions. Understanding these salary ranges can help job seekers target industries that match their skills and career goals.

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

San Francisco offers many high-paying jobs that attract talented professionals from all over. People in the tech industry find the city appealing, with top positions like Research Engineer and Director of Engineering leading the pack. Physicians also enjoy high earnings, especially those who specialize or hold leadership roles like General Counsel or Primary Care Physician. These jobs offer competitive salaries that reflect the cost of living in San Francisco. Each role requires a high level of expertise and often comes with significant responsibility. Whether you work in technology or healthcare, San Francisco has opportunities that can be both rewarding and lucrative.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Research Engineer with the highest at $302,254 and Staff Engineer with the lowest at $227,458.
  1. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $302,254
    This role involves developing and testing new products and systems. Working at tech giants like Google or Apple, engineers focus on creating innovative solutions. They collaborate with teams to ensure projects meet high standards.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $280,983
    Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses. They work in top hospitals like UCSF Health and Sutter Health. These professionals provide care and manage patient health in various medical specialties.
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  3. Director of Engineering
    Average Salary: $271,565
    In this leadership role, the director oversees engineering teams. They guide projects at companies like Salesforce and LinkedIn. Directors ensure projects meet goals and deadlines, fostering a collaborative environment.
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  4. Director Engineering
    Average Salary: $270,844
    This role involves strategic planning and team management. Directors work at firms like Dropbox and GitHub. They lead engineering teams, ensuring projects align with company goals and standards.
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  5. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $244,850
    General Counsels provide legal advice to companies. They work in organizations like Uber and Airbnb. Counsels handle legal issues, ensuring companies comply with laws and regulations.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $238,954
    Primary Care Physicians focus on general health care. They work in clinics and hospitals. Physicians manage patients' health, offering preventive care and treatments.
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  7. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $237,914
    Principal Engineers design and develop systems. They work at tech companies like Google and Facebook. Principals lead projects, ensuring high-quality and innovative solutions.
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  8. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $234,449
    This role involves strategic planning and business development. Directors work at firms like Salesforce and Oracle. They develop strategies to drive business growth and innovation.
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  9. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $233,983
    General Dentists provide oral health care. They work in private practices and clinics. Dentists perform routine check-ups, cleanings, and treatments to maintain patients' oral health.
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  10. Staff Engineer
    Average Salary: $227,458
    Staff Engineers work on complex projects. They are employed by companies like Google and Facebook. Staff Engineers develop and maintain systems, collaborating with teams to solve technical challenges.
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What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA without a degree?

In San Francisco, many high-paying jobs do not need a college degree. These positions offer good wages and can be found in various industries. For example, an Arborist Climber can earn around $61,111 per year. They work outdoors, maintaining trees in urban and rural areas. Other top-paying jobs include Banquet Houseperson, Floor Tech, and Landscaper. Each of these roles pays more than $55,000 annually. These jobs often require skills and hands-on experience rather than formal education. Candidates can find opportunities in hospitality, maintenance, and outdoor services. They can earn a good living while gaining valuable work experience.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA without a degree, highlighting Arborist Climber with the highest at $61,111 and Seafood Team Member with the lowest at $49,209.
  1. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $61,111
    This role involves climbing trees to trim and maintain them. It offers great outdoor work in a tech-rich city. Companies like local tree services and parks departments are often hiring.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Banquet Houseperson
    Average Salary: $57,400
    The work involves setting up and cleaning up for events. It can be busy but rewarding. Venues in the city often need dependable staff.
    Find Banquet Houseperson jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $56,222
    This job means keeping floors clean and shiny in busy places. It requires attention to detail and the ability to work quickly. Many retail and commercial spaces hire for this role.
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  4. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $56,194
    The role involves maintaining gardens and outdoor areas. It offers great outdoor work. Landscaping companies in the city often seek skilled workers.
    Find Landscaper jobs in San Francisco, CA


  5. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $55,456
    This work includes cleaning and maintaining rooms in hotels and other facilities. It requires a neat and organized approach. Hospitality companies in the area often look for housekeepers.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. Food Preparer
    Average Salary: $55,197
    The role involves making meals in a fast-paced kitchen. It requires good teamwork and attention to detail. Many restaurants and cafes in the city need food preparers.
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  7. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $53,332
    The work involves helping servers in a restaurant. It requires a friendly attitude and good communication skills. Dining establishments in the city often look for server assistants.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  8. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $52,589
    This role involves gathering information by asking questions. It can be done on foot or by phone. Companies in the area often hire canvassers for surveys.
    Find Canvasser jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $50,927
    The work includes overseeing kitchen staff and operations. It requires strong leadership skills. Many eateries in the city need kitchen managers.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Seafood Team Member
    Average Salary: $49,209
    The role involves preparing and serving seafood. It requires a keen eye for detail. Seafood restaurants in the city often need team members.
    Find Seafood Team Member jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

Job seekers in San Francisco looking for top-paying companies have several excellent options. Companies like OpenAI, Lambda, and Palm Health Resources offer some of the highest salaries in the area. For instance, OpenAI pays an average salary of over $304,000, followed closely by Lambda and Palm Health Resources, which offer average salaries above $230,000. Beyond these top earners, other notable companies such as Cisco, LifeStance Health, and Pinterest also provide competitive compensation packages. Cisco offers an average salary of over $229,000, while LifeStance Health and Pinterest offer average salaries just above $226,000. Additionally, companies like Grammarly, Okta, Harvey, and Discord also provide strong salaries, making San Francisco an attractive place for professionals seeking high-paying job opportunities.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $304,205 and Discord with the lowest at $218,240.
  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $304,205
    OpenAI is a leading tech company focused on creating safe artificial intelligence. It values innovation and aims to develop AI that benefits humanity.


  2. Lambda
    Average Salary: $281,139
    Lambda is a coding school that equips students with the skills needed for careers in tech. It offers immersive courses and personalized career support.


  3. Palm Health Resources
    Average Salary: $230,948
    Palm Health Resources is a top healthcare staffing firm. It works with healthcare providers to find the best talent for their needs.


  4. Cisco
    Average Salary: $229,537
    Cisco is a global leader in networking and technology. It provides innovative solutions to help businesses connect and communicate effectively.


  5. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $226,596
    LifeStance Health offers mental health services across the country. It aims to improve the well-being of patients with a variety of mental health conditions.


  6. Pinterest
    Average Salary: $224,777
    Pinterest is a visual discovery platform. It helps users find ideas and inspiration for their everyday lives through images and videos.


  7. Grammarly
    Average Salary: $223,809
    Grammarly provides a writing assistant tool. It helps users improve their writing by offering grammar, spelling, and style suggestions.


  8. Okta
    Average Salary: $221,645
    Okta specializes in identity and access management solutions. It helps companies secure their digital assets and protect user data.


  9. Harvey
    Average Salary: $220,600
    Harvey is a legal technology company. It offers tools to help lawyers analyze and summarize legal documents more efficiently.


  10. Discord
    Average Salary: $218,240
    Discord is a voice and text chat platform. It allows communities to connect and communicate in real time, popular among gamers and other groups.

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

San Francisco, CA, has a notably higher cost of living than the nationwide average, particularly in housing. The housing index at 267 surpasses the national benchmark of 100 by 167%. This elevated cost affects prospective residents, especially those considering the city for employment opportunities. Additionally, other essential categories like groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also exceed the national average. Groceries stand at 123, utilities at 122, transportation at 132, healthcare at 127, and miscellaneous expenses at 112. These figures collectively highlight that living in San Francisco demands a higher budget than the average U.S. city.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Francisco, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 167% higher, groceries 23% higher, utilities 22% higher, transportation 32% higher, healthcare 27% higher, miscellaneous 12% higher.

San Francisco, CA, has a high cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The cost of living index for housing stands at 267, which is significantly higher than the average of 100. This means that housing costs in San Francisco are 167% higher than the national average. Job seekers should be prepared for higher expenses related to finding a place to live, which can greatly impact their overall budget.


Other areas also show a steep increase from the national average. For example, groceries cost 23% more in San Francisco, with an index of 123. Utilities are 22% higher, at an index of 122. Transportation costs, including public transit and fuel, are 32% higher, with an index of 132. Healthcare services cost 27% more, at 127, while miscellaneous items are 12% more expensive, at 112. These figures suggest that living in San Francisco requires a budget that is well above the national average.

There are 8,004 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
8,004 Job Openings