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What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary in San Francisco, CA is $122,379 per year.

San Francisco offers competitive salaries across various industries. Professionals in technology and healthcare enjoy some of the highest average earnings. With the average yearly salary standing at $122,379, job seekers will find many opportunities to advance their careers.

Here are some average salaries in key industries:

  • Technology: $157,822
  • Healthcare: $134,125
  • Finance: $181,518
  • Business and Management: $110,429
  • Education: $63,036
A diverse job market awaits those looking to thrive in San Francisco.

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

San Francisco is a hub for high-paying jobs across various industries. The tech industry leads with positions like Research Engineer and Principal Engineer, both offering six-figure salaries. Healthcare roles, including Physician and Primary Care Physician, also rank high, reflecting the strong demand for medical services in the area. Business and legal sectors are not far behind, with roles such as General Counsel and Director of Enterprise Strategy also offering competitive compensation. These positions reflect San Francisco’s diverse economy, offering numerous opportunities for professionals in different fields. The combination of tech innovation and healthcare needs creates a robust job market with attractive salaries.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Research Engineer with the highest at $297,712 and Staff Engineer with the lowest at $214,508.
  1. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $297,712
    This role involves working in tech giants, conducting research to enhance products. Companies like Google and Apple seek such skills. Research is a core task, focusing on innovation.
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  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $262,252
    Medical professionals in this city enjoy high earnings. They work in top-tier hospitals, offering advanced care. Institutions like UCSF Health are known for their excellence.
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  3. Platform Director
    Average Salary: $252,866
    Leading teams to manage digital platforms is crucial. This role often involves working with companies like Salesforce. Success depends on strategic vision and execution.
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  4. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $237,716
    This legal expert advises on corporate law. They work with firms like Oracle and Salesforce. Their role is to ensure compliance and mitigate legal risks.
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  5. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $237,419
    Strategists in this role focus on growth and innovation. They work with tech companies like Google. Their advice shapes the direction of the company.
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  6. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $234,277
    These doctors provide essential health care. They work in well-known clinics. Their role is to manage patients' overall health and well-being.
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  7. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $232,765
    Dentists offer essential oral care services. They work in private practices. Their skills help maintain patients' dental health and hygiene.
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  8. Director of Engineering
    Average Salary: $230,703
    Engineering directors lead teams in tech development. They work with companies like Uber. Their focus is on innovation and project delivery.
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  9. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $230,069
    These engineers design systems and solve complex problems. They work in firms like Tesla. Their role involves leading projects and teams.
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  10. Staff Engineer
    Average Salary: $214,508
    Staff engineers work on projects to improve tech solutions. They work with companies like Dropbox. Their role requires strong technical and problem-solving skills.
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What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA without a degree?

San Francisco offers a variety of high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Landscapers and restaurant managers stand out with average salaries of nearly $76,000. These positions provide good income and valuable work experience in a bustling city. Another top-paying role is canvasser, earning about $69,000 annually. Arborist climbers, floor technicians, and housekeeping staff also enjoy competitive wages, ranging from $52,000 to $58,000 a year. These jobs offer reliable pay and the chance to work in diverse settings.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA without a degree, highlighting Landscaper with the highest at $75,925 and Bar Back with the lowest at $51,590.
  1. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $75,925
    This role offers the chance to work outdoors, maintaining beautiful properties. Landscapers often work with renowned companies in the city, crafting elegant gardens and outdoor spaces. Flexibility to work in different environments makes it a rewarding job.
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  2. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $75,648
    A restaurant manager oversees daily operations, ensuring smooth service and staff management. They often work with top-tier dining establishments, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction. The role offers a dynamic environment and the chance to excel in a fast-paced setting.
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  3. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $69,344
    Canvassers interact directly with the community, gathering information or promoting causes. This role offers the opportunity to work for a variety of organizations, from non-profits to political campaigns. It provides a chance to be actively involved in the city's civic life.
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  4. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $58,165
    Arborist climbers work high up in trees, ensuring they are healthy and safe. This job requires physical agility and a strong work ethic. They often collaborate with urban forestry teams, playing a crucial role in maintaining the city's green spaces.
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  5. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $57,218
    Floor techs ensure that floors are clean and shiny in various settings. They work in offices, hotels, and event spaces, keeping the environment pristine. This role involves using specialized equipment and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness.
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  6. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $53,979
    Housekeepers maintain cleanliness in homes and hotels. They perform tasks like tidying rooms, changing linens, and ensuring a comfortable living environment. This role is vital for hospitality and residential services.
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  7. Banquet Houseperson
    Average Salary: $53,403
    Banquet housepeople prepare and maintain event spaces. They set up tables, arrange chairs, and ensure everything is ready for events. This role involves attention to detail and the ability to work efficiently under pressure.
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  8. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $52,282
    Kitchen managers oversee kitchen operations, ensuring food is prepared to the highest standards. They coordinate with chefs and kitchen staff, maintaining smooth workflow. This role is crucial in the fast-paced food service industry.
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  9. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $52,233
    Server assistants support servers in dining settings. They help with taking orders, clearing tables, and assisting with food service. This role provides a chance to work closely with customers and support the dining experience.
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  10. Bar Back
    Average Salary: $51,590
    Bar backs support bartenders by preparing drinks and maintaining the bar area. They work in busy bars and restaurants, ensuring the bar operates smoothly. This role offers a dynamic work environment with the chance to interact with patrons.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in San Francisco, CA?

San Francisco offers a variety of top-paying companies across different industries. Among them, OpenAI leads with an impressive average salary of $305,699 per year. Following closely are Waymo, LifeStance Health, Okta, and SAP, all offering competitive average salaries above $200,000 annually. For those seeking rewarding opportunities, Salesforce, Quizlet, Airtable, Pinterest, and Cisco also provide attractive compensation packages. These companies ensure employees enjoy substantial benefits and a strong earning potential in one of the nation’s most dynamic job markets.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $305,699 and Cisco with the lowest at $210,740.
  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $305,699
    OpenAI works in the field of Artificial Intelligence. They aim to ensure AI benefits all of humanity.


  2. Waymo
    Average Salary: $217,499
    Waymo focuses on self-driving technology. They want to make transportation safer and more convenient.


  3. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $217,424
    LifeStance Health offers mental health services. They aim to provide excellent care to patients.


  4. Okta
    Average Salary: $215,147
    Okta helps manage user identities. They make it easy for companies to keep their online accounts secure.


  5. SAP
    Average Salary: $213,517
    SAP offers business software. They help companies manage their operations and data.


  6. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $212,801
    Salesforce makes customer relationship management software. They help businesses connect with their customers.


  7. Quizlet
    Average Salary: $212,640
    Quizlet offers study tools for students. They aim to make learning easier and more effective.


  8. Airtable
    Average Salary: $211,501
    Airtable provides a flexible database. They help people organize and share information easily.


  9. Pinterest
    Average Salary: $211,321
    Pinterest is a visual discovery engine. It allows people to find and share ideas.


  10. Cisco
    Average Salary: $210,740
    Cisco makes networking equipment. They help connect people and devices across the world.

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

San Francisco's cost of living index stands significantly higher than the nationwide average. Housing costs alone are 63% above the national benchmark, reflecting the city's high demand and limited supply. This elevated cost impacts various sectors, making overall expenses notably more demanding for residents.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Francisco, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 163% higher, groceries 23% higher, utilities 12% higher, transportation 26% higher, healthcare 7% higher, miscellaneous 28% higher.

The cost of living in San Francisco, CA, significantly surpasses the nationwide average, with an overall cost of living index of 150. This means that living in San Francisco is approximately 50% more expensive than the average city in the United States. The most striking difference is in housing, where the index stands at 263. This shows that housing costs in San Francisco are 163% higher than the national average.


Beyond housing, other categories also show higher costs. Groceries cost about 23% more, with an index of 123. Transportation and utilities also exceed the national average, at 26% and 12% higher, respectively. While healthcare is slightly cheaper than the average, miscellaneous costs are up by 28%. These figures highlight the importance of considering the higher living costs when moving to or evaluating job opportunities in San Francisco.

There are 8,986 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
8,986 Job Openings