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What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary in San Francisco, CA is $112,754 per year.

San Francisco, CA, offers competitive salaries across various industries. The average yearly salary stands at $112,754. This figure reflects the diverse job market and the high demand for skilled professionals. Salaries range widely, with many positions offering above-average pay.


Here are some common salary ranges in San Francisco:

  • 25% of jobs earn around $38,050
  • 50% of jobs earn around $60,409
  • 75% of jobs earn around $82,768
  • 90% of jobs earn around $127,486
  • 95% of jobs earn around $149,845
  • 99% of jobs earn around $172,205
These figures highlight the earning potential in different sectors, making San Francisco an attractive place for job seekers.

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

San Francisco offers a range of high-paying job opportunities for skilled professionals. Research Engineers lead the pack with an average salary of $280,347. Physicians, including General Counsels and Primary Care Physicians, also earn well, with salaries around $250,000 to $222,000. Other top-paying roles include Directors of Enterprise Strategy, Directors of Engineering, and Principal Engineers, all earning over $200,000 annually. These positions demand specialized skills and expertise, making them highly valued in the San Francisco job market. The tech and healthcare sectors, in particular, offer lucrative career paths. Job seekers with the right qualifications can find excellent opportunities in these high-paying roles.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Research Engineer with the highest at $280,347 and Staff Engineer with the lowest at $210,653.
  1. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $280,347
    This role involves creating new technologies and improving existing ones. Companies like Google and Apple often seek these experts. They work on projects that can change the tech industry.
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  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $250,664
    Doctors diagnose and treat patients. They work in hospitals and clinics. In San Francisco, they often deal with a diverse patient population. They need to stay updated with the latest medical advancements.
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  3. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $230,038
    This role provides legal advice to companies. They handle legal issues and ensure compliance. In San Francisco, they often work with tech firms. They need to be well-versed in corporate law.
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  4. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $228,035
    This position involves setting the company's direction. They work with top management. In San Francisco, they often deal with tech giants. They need strong strategic thinking skills.
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  5. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $226,163
    Dentists provide oral care. They perform cleanings, fillings, and other procedures. In San Francisco, they often work in private practices. They need to be detail-oriented and patient-focused.
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  6. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $222,110
    These doctors provide general medical care. They treat a wide range of conditions. In San Francisco, they often work in clinics. They need to be compassionate and knowledgeable.
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  7. Director of Engineering
    Average Salary: $220,288
    This role oversees the engineering team. They manage projects and ensure quality. In San Francisco, they often work with tech companies. They need strong leadership and technical skills.
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  8. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $215,526
    Principal engineers design and develop systems. They lead projects and mentor junior engineers. In San Francisco, they often work in tech firms. They need deep technical expertise.
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  9. Technical Director
    Average Salary: $211,749
    This role involves overseeing technical projects. They ensure projects meet deadlines and quality standards. In San Francisco, they often work in tech companies. They need strong project management skills.
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  10. Staff Engineer
    Average Salary: $210,653
    Staff engineers work on complex technical problems. They design and implement solutions. In San Francisco, they often work in tech firms. They need strong problem-solving skills.
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What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA without a degree?

San Francisco offers many high-paying jobs that do not require a degree. Restaurant managers can earn an average of $68,449 annually. Landscapers and arborist climbers also enjoy good salaries, with averages of $67,795 and $58,326, respectively. Other well-paying positions include floor technicians, canvassers, and housekeeping staff. These roles provide a chance to earn $56,372, $55,333, and $52,226 per year. Kitchen managers, bar backs, and food service aides round out the list with average salaries of $51,536, $51,524, and $48,288. These jobs offer good pay and the chance to work in a vibrant city.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $68,449 and Food Service Aide with the lowest at $48,288.
  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $68,449
    Manage daily operations in a bustling restaurant. Oversee staff, ensure customer satisfaction, and handle finances. Work in high-end restaurants like Fog Harbor Fish House and The Slanted Door.
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  2. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $67,795
    Design and maintain outdoor spaces. Plant trees, flowers, and shrubs. Work for companies like Green Thumb Landscape and Bay Area Landscape.
    Find Landscaper jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $58,326
    Climb trees to trim branches and remove dead wood. Ensure tree health and safety. Companies like Arbor Care and Tree Service SF hire for this role.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $56,372
    Clean and maintain floors in commercial spaces. Use specialized equipment. Work for companies like Jani-King and ServiceMaster.
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  5. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $55,333
    Promote products or services door-to-door. Engage with customers and gather information. Work for companies like Survey Sampling and Market Force.
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  6. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $52,226
    Clean and maintain rooms in hotels or residential buildings. Ensure a tidy environment. Work for hotels like The Westin or residential complexes like The Pacific.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in San Francisco, CA


  7. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $51,938
    Help servers with table setup and clearing. Ensure a smooth dining experience. Work in restaurants like The French Laundry and Zuni Café.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  8. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $51,536
    Oversee kitchen staff and operations. Ensure food is prepared safely and on time. Work for restaurants like Tartine Bakery and The Slanted Door.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Bar Back
    Average Salary: $51,524
    Assist bartenders with drink preparation and bar maintenance. Ensure a clean and efficient bar. Work in bars like The Boardroom and The View Lounge.
    Find Bar Back jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Food Service Aide
    Average Salary: $48,288
    Help prepare and serve food. Ensure cleanliness and safety. Work in cafeterias like Google and schools like SFUSD.
    Find Food Service Aide jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

San Francisco offers some of the highest salaries in the tech industry. Companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Palo Alto Networks lead the way, with average salaries well above $200,000. These companies attract top talent with competitive compensation packages, making them attractive options for job seekers. Specifically, OpenAI pays the highest average salary at nearly $307,000. Anthropic and Palo Alto Networks follow closely, with average salaries around $292,000 and $249,000, respectively. Canva, Waymo, and Pinterest also offer strong salaries, ranging from $216,000 to $225,000. These companies provide excellent opportunities for those seeking high-paying jobs in San Francisco.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $306,539 and Salesforce with the lowest at $204,408.
  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $306,539
    OpenAI is a leading company in the field of artificial intelligence. It focuses on creating safe and beneficial AI for everyone.


  2. Anthropic
    Average Salary: $292,318
    Anthropic is a tech company that works on developing AI systems. It aims to build reliable and intelligent AI technologies.


  3. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $249,342
    Palo Alto Networks is a cybersecurity company. It provides security solutions to protect businesses from cyber threats.


  4. Canva
    Average Salary: $225,042
    Canva is a design platform that helps people create visual content. It offers tools for graphic design, presentations, and more.


  5. Waymo
    Average Salary: $216,358
    Waymo is a company that develops self-driving car technology. It aims to make transportation safer and more efficient.


  6. Pinterest
    Average Salary: $211,037
    Pinterest is a social media platform where people share ideas and inspirations through images. It allows users to discover and save ideas.


  7. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $210,721
    LifeStance Health is a mental health care company. It provides services to patients seeking mental health support and treatment.


  8. CRUSOE
    Average Salary: $205,528
    CRUSOE is a technology company that focuses on providing innovative solutions. It aims to improve efficiency and productivity in various sectors.


  9. Okta
    Average Salary: $204,873
    Okta is a company that offers identity and access management solutions. It helps businesses secure their digital resources.


  10. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $204,408
    Salesforce is a cloud-based software company. It provides customer relationship management (CRM) solutions to help businesses grow.

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

San Francisco, CA, has a significantly higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The city's cost of living index stands at 176, which is 76% higher than the national average of 100. This elevated index affects various aspects, including housing, groceries, and utilities, making it crucial for job seekers to consider these factors when planning their move.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Francisco, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 167% higher, groceries 30% higher, utilities 4% lower, transportation 41% higher, healthcare 15% higher, miscellaneous 7% higher.

San Francisco, CA, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The cost of living index for San Francisco is 186, which is 86% higher than the national average of 100. This significant increase is largely due to the housing costs, which are 276 on the index. This means housing costs in San Francisco are nearly three times the national average.


Other expenses also contribute to the higher cost of living in San Francisco. For example, groceries cost 25% more, with an index of 125. Utilities are 5% higher at 105, while transportation costs are 30% above the national average at 130. Healthcare costs are 10% higher, with an index of 110. Miscellaneous costs, such as entertainment and clothing, are also 30% higher at 130. These factors combine to make San Francisco one of the more expensive places to live in the United States.

There are 8,725 job openings in San Francisco, CA, today!

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

Discover what it's like to work in San Francisco, CA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
City
Overview
San Francisco, CA
8,725 Job Openings