What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?
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.
What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA?

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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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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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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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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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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.
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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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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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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.
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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.
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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?

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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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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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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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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.
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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.
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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?

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Anthropic
Average Salary: $358,532
Anthropic is a tech company that builds artificial intelligence. They work to make AI safe and beneficial for everyone.
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OpenAI
Average Salary: $305,093
OpenAI creates advanced AI technologies. They focus on ensuring AI is safe and useful.
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Okta
Average Salary: $220,824
Okta helps companies manage user access and security. They work to make sure businesses are safe from cyber threats.
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Cisco
Average Salary: $217,009
Cisco is a global technology leader. They provide networking and communication solutions to businesses.
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Waymo
Average Salary: $216,992
Waymo focuses on self-driving car technology. They aim to make transportation safer and more efficient.
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Airtable
Average Salary: $216,292
Airtable offers a flexible database tool. They help teams organize and share information easily.
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LifeStance Health
Average Salary: $215,550
LifeStance Health provides mental health services. They offer a range of therapy and psychiatry services.
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Salesforce
Average Salary: $215,124
Salesforce is a CRM leader. They help companies manage customer relationships and grow their business.
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Pinterest
Average Salary: $215,114
Pinterest is a visual discovery platform. Users find ideas for projects, recipes, and more through images.
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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, 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.



