Overview Salaries

Salaries in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Jun 10, 2026
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Salary

What is the average salary in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary in San Francisco, CA is $123,977 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $123,977 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $10,331 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $2,384 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $60 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

San Francisco offers a wide range of salaries for its workers. The average yearly salary stands at about $123,977. This makes it a competitive area for job seekers. Salaries vary by job type and industry, with some offering higher pay than others.


Here are some key salary figures for different job types in San Francisco:

  • Business and Financial Operations: $159,105
  • Computer and Mathematical: $183,055
  • Life, Physical, and Social Science: $135,156
  • Community and Social Service: $87,258
  • Education, Training, and Library: $63,309
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What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA?

Job seekers in San Francisco have access to some of the best-paying positions in the country. High-earning roles include Research Engineers, Physicians, and Directors of various fields. These jobs offer not only top salaries but also the chance to work in a dynamic tech hub. Research Engineers, for example, can earn over $300,000 annually. Physicians also see significant earnings, with specialists like Primary Care Physicians making around $235,000 a year. Leadership roles such as Director Engineering and Platform Director pay well, reflecting the value placed on strategic and technical expertise in these positions.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Research Engineer with the highest at $304,672 and Principal Engineer with the lowest at $232,495.

  1. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $304,672
    Work with tech giants on cutting-edge research and development. Opportunities abound with companies like Google and Apple. Collaborate on projects that shape the future of technology.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $269,876
    Provide top-notch medical care in world-class facilities. Hospitals like UCSF and Kaiser Permanente offer excellent benefits. Make a significant impact on patient lives daily.
    Find Physician jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Director Engineering
    Average Salary: $265,470
    Lead engineering teams for major tech companies. Work with firms like Salesforce and Dropbox. Drive innovation and oversee large-scale projects.
    Find Director Engineering jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. Platform Director
    Average Salary: $253,560
    Manage and improve digital platforms for leading businesses. Companies like Airbnb and Slack need strategic direction. Focus on user experience and platform growth.
    Find Platform Director jobs in San Francisco, CA


  5. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $240,225
    Provide legal expertise to companies navigating complex regulations. Work with firms like Uber and Coinbase. Ensure compliance and mitigate legal risks.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $239,099
    Shape the strategic direction of large enterprises. Companies like Salesforce and Slack seek experienced leaders. Focus on growth and market positioning.
    Find Director of Enterprise Strategy jobs in San Francisco, CA


  7. Principal Architect
    Average Salary: $236,901
    Design and oversee complex software systems. Work with tech firms like Oracle and Intel. Ensure systems are scalable and efficient.
    Find Principal Architect jobs in San Francisco, CA


  8. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $236,840
    Provide essential dental care in well-established practices. Clinics like Smile Doctors offer modern facilities. Focus on patient comfort and oral health.
    Find General Dentist jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $235,775
    Offer comprehensive medical care to patients of all ages. Practices like UCSF Health and Kaiser Permanente offer excellent support. Build lasting relationships with patients.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $232,495
    Lead engineering projects for cutting-edge technology companies. Firms like Tesla and Oracle need skilled engineers. Focus on innovation and problem-solving.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA

What are the best paying jobs in San Francisco, CA without a degree?

San Francisco offers several high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. These positions often provide good salaries and valuable work experience. For example, a restaurant manager can earn about $77,222 a year on average, while a canvasser might make around $67,635. These roles offer excellent opportunities to earn a decent income. An arborist climber, who works with trees, can make approximately $59,853 per year. Floor technicians, who maintain and clean areas, might earn about $57,010 annually. Housekeeping staff, banquet housepersons, and kitchen managers can also expect to earn around $54,000 a year or more. Other positions, like server assistants, bar backs, and food service aides, generally provide salaries around $50,000 to $54,000 per year.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Francisco, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $77,222 and Food Service Aide with the lowest at $49,025.

  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $77,222
    Manage staff and operations in a fast-paced environment. Oversee kitchen and front-of-house activities. Must be organized and customer-focused. Work in trendy spots like Zuni Cafe or Tartine Bakery.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $67,635
    Promote causes or products by reaching out to potential clients. Engage in door-to-door visits or phone calls. Strong communication skills are essential. Opportunities with political campaigns or local businesses.
    Find Canvasser jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $59,853
    Prune and care for trees by climbing them. Ensure safety and maintain tree health. Work outdoors in urban settings. Companies like Davey Tree or local landscaping firms offer these positions.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in San Francisco, CA


  4. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $57,010
    Maintain cleanliness and safety in various settings. Use vacuums, mops, and other tools. Must be detail-oriented and reliable. Available in commercial and residential properties.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in San Francisco, CA


  5. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $54,400
    Clean and organize living spaces. Handle laundry and restock supplies. Attention to detail is crucial. Work in hotels or residential complexes.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. Banquet Houseperson
    Average Salary: $54,015
    Prepare event spaces for guests. Set up tables and chairs, and assist with catering. Must be able to work under pressure. Available in banquet halls or event venues.
    Find Banquet Houseperson jobs in San Francisco, CA


  7. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $52,927
    Oversee daily kitchen operations. Manage staff and ensure food quality. Must be knowledgeable about food safety. Work in high-end restaurants or catering companies.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in San Francisco, CA


  8. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $52,444
    Support servers in a busy restaurant. Take orders and deliver food. Must have good communication skills. Available in chain restaurants or local eateries.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  9. Bar Back
    Average Salary: $51,722
    Assist bartenders by stocking supplies and cleaning equipment. Must be quick and efficient. Work in bars or nightlife venues.
    Find Bar Back jobs in San Francisco, CA


  10. Food Service Aide
    Average Salary: $49,025
    Prepare food and assist in service areas. Maintain cleanliness and order. Available in schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
    Find Food Service Aide jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

Companies in San Francisco offer high salaries to their employees. Leading the pack is OpenAI, paying an average salary of $305,377. Following closely are Okta with $219,660, and LifeStance Health with $218,937. Other top-paying companies include Waymo, Airtable, Pinterest, Discord, Salesforce, SAP, and Quizlet. These companies provide competitive compensation packages. This makes San Francisco an attractive location for job seekers looking for high earnings. Each of these companies invests in their employees, reflecting their commitment to attracting and retaining top talent. This makes the area a desirable place for professionals in various industries.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $305,377 and Quizlet with the lowest at $212,958.

  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $305,377
    OpenAI focuses on developing safe artificial general intelligence to benefit all of humanity.


  2. Okta
    Average Salary: $219,660
    Okta provides identity management solutions to protect and empower users.


  3. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $218,937
    LifeStance Health offers mental health services through a network of experienced professionals.


  4. Waymo
    Average Salary: $216,867
    Waymo is a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, working to make transportation safer and more accessible.


  5. Airtable
    Average Salary: $215,969
    Airtable combines a database with a spreadsheet to create powerful data management tools.


  6. Pinterest
    Average Salary: $214,739
    Pinterest is a visual discovery engine that helps people find ideas for what they love.


  7. Discord
    Average Salary: $214,653
    Discord is a platform for communities to connect through chat and video, favored by gamers and other groups.


  8. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $214,400
    Salesforce is a global leader in customer relationship management software.


  9. SAP
    Average Salary: $213,277
    SAP provides enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations.


  10. Quizlet
    Average Salary: $212,958
    Quizlet offers tools to help students study and learn using flashcards and games.

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

San Francisco, CA, has a high cost of living compared to the nationwide average of 100. Housing costs are a staggering 270% of the national average. This means housing alone costs nearly three times as much as in other areas. Other costs in San Francisco also stand out. Groceries and utilities are 35% and 40% above the national average, respectively. Transportation costs are 80% higher. Healthcare and miscellaneous expenses also surpass the national averages by 25% and 50%, respectively. These figures highlight the need for job seekers to consider the financial impact of relocating to San Francisco.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Francisco, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 170% higher, groceries 35% higher, utilities 40% higher, transportation 80% higher, healthcare 25% higher, miscellaneous 50% higher.

The cost of living index in San Francisco, CA, paints a clear picture of the city's higher expenses compared to the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs are notably higher, with an index of 270, indicating a significant jump of 170% over the national average. This steep increase reflects the high demand for housing in one of the country's most desirable cities.


Other areas also show higher costs. Groceries have an index of 135, which is 35% above the national average. Utilities and transportation follow closely behind at 140 and 180, respectively, showing increases of 40% and 80%. Healthcare, while still relatively high at 125, has a smaller rise of 25%. Miscellaneous expenses have an index of 150, marking a 50% increase. All these numbers combine to show that living in San Francisco is notably more expensive in nearly every category.

There are 6,873 job openings in San Francisco, CA, today!

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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.
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San Francisco, CA
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