General Counsel General Counsel Salary in San Francisco, CA

General Counsel Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Sep 14, 2026
Position
City
Salary

How much does a General Counsel make in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary for a General Counsel is $240,900 per year in San Francisco, CA.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $240,900 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $20,075 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $4,633 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $116 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

A General Counsel working in San Francisco, CA, can expect a competitive salary. On average, these professionals earn about $240,900 per year. This range can vary based on experience, specific industry, and other factors.

Salary data shows that many General Counsel earn between $185,680 and $352,373 per year. This gives a clear picture of what salary to aim for. Some top earners may see salaries above $376,187, especially if they have significant experience or work for larger companies.

General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA
View all General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA

What are the highest paying cities for a General Counsel near San Francisco, CA?

General Counsel jobs around San Francisco, CA, offer very high salaries. Livermore, CA, stands out with an average salary of $317,680. Other nearby cities like Palo Alto and Redwood City also provide impressive average salaries over $250,000. Seeking a General Counsel position in these areas can offer both career advancement and a lucrative income. Cities such as Mountain View, Menlo Park, and Santa Clara also provide strong salary packages, making them attractive for those in the field.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for General Counsel jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting Livermore, CA with the highest at $317,680 and South San Francisco, CA with the lowest at $229,127.

  1. Livermore, CA
    Average Salary: $317,680
    In Livermore, a legal professional works with companies such as Sandia National Laboratories. The role involves providing top-notch advice and navigating complex legal challenges. Livermore offers a close-knit community with a strong focus on innovation and technology.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Livermore, CA


  2. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $294,340
    Palo Alto boasts a vibrant tech scene, with companies like Tesla and Google. General Counsel roles here offer dynamic work and the chance to tackle cutting-edge legal issues. The city's progressive atmosphere and high quality of life make it an appealing place to work.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  3. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $265,125
    Redwood City is home to major firms like Oracle and Dropbox. Legal experts here thrive in a collaborative environment, addressing both everyday and complex legal matters. The city's strong economy and rich cultural scene provide a rewarding backdrop for a successful career.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Redwood City, CA


  4. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $255,744
    Working in Oakland offers a mix of challenges and opportunities. With companies like Kaiser Permanente, professionals address a variety of legal issues. The city's diverse culture and commitment to social justice create a unique and impactful workplace experience.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Oakland, CA


  5. San Mateo, CA
    Average Salary: $252,952
    San Mateo is a hub for tech giants like Oracle and LinkedIn. Legal professionals here enjoy dynamic roles that require sharp legal skills. The city's beautiful setting and excellent schools make it a great place to live and work.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Mateo, CA


  6. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $251,586
    Mountain View, home to Google and Tesla, offers exciting opportunities for legal professionals. The role involves handling complex legal issues and strategic advice. The city’s tech-driven culture and beautiful environment provide an inspiring place to work.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Mountain View, CA


  7. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $246,121
    Menlo Park offers a thriving tech environment with companies like Facebook. Legal professionals here work on cutting-edge issues and strategic guidance. The city’s innovation-focused culture and beautiful parks make it a great place to live and work.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  8. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $245,182
    Santa Clara is a tech powerhouse, with companies like Apple and Intel. Legal roles here require strong legal acumen and strategic thinking. The city’s vibrant community and beautiful beaches offer a rewarding place to work and live.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  9. Alameda, CA
    Average Salary: $235,290
    Alameda offers a mix of opportunities with companies like Kaiser Permanente. Legal professionals here work on a range of issues, from everyday matters to complex cases. The city’s strong sense of community and beautiful waterfront make it a pleasant place to work.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Alameda, CA


  10. South San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $229,127
    South San Francisco is a growing tech hub, with companies like Genentech. Legal professionals here tackle a variety of challenges, from regulatory issues to strategic guidance. The city’s welcoming community and beautiful parks create a supportive work environment.
    Find General Counsel jobs in South San Francisco, CA

What are the best paying companies for a General Counsel in San Francisco, CA?

If you seek a lucrative role as General Counsel in San Francisco, consider applying to top companies like OpenAI and Scale AI. These firms offer some of the highest salaries in the region, averaging around $365,308 and $284,100, respectively. Genentech, Salesforce, and Rippling also provide competitive compensation packages, making them attractive options for legal professionals.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $365,308 and Mochi Health with the lowest at $211,429.

  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $365,308
    OpenAI offers exciting opportunities for General Counsels in San Francisco, CA. They operate globally, focusing on AI safety and development. This role involves legal oversight and compliance.


  2. Scale AI
    Average Salary: $284,100
    Scale AI in San Francisco, CA, provides a dynamic environment for General Counsels. They work to advance AI technology worldwide. Responsibilities include legal strategy and regulatory guidance.


  3. Genentech
    Average Salary: $281,800
    Genentech, based in San Francisco, CA, offers General Counsels a chance to influence the biotech industry. They focus on healthcare innovation. This role involves legal advice and risk management.


  4. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $252,380
    At Salesforce in San Francisco, CA, General Counsels play a key role in guiding the company's cloud-based software solutions. They manage legal affairs globally. This position focuses on strategic legal support.


  5. Rippling
    Average Salary: $251,656
    Rippling, located in San Francisco, CA, is a growing company seeking General Counsels. They offer HR software to businesses. This role involves legal oversight and HR law expertise.


  6. Meta
    Average Salary: $246,159
    Meta, based in San Francisco, CA, provides General Counsels with a chance to impact the tech industry. They focus on social media and connectivity. This position includes legal compliance and policy development.


  7. PagerDuty
    Average Salary: $235,517
    PagerDuty in San Francisco, CA, looks for General Counsels to oversee their IT operations software. They support global businesses. This role involves legal guidance and risk management.


  8. Recology
    Average Salary: $227,421
    Recology, based in San Francisco, CA, offers General Counsels an opportunity to lead in sustainability. They manage recycling and waste services. This position includes legal compliance and environmental law.


  9. Sigma
    Average Salary: $222,188
    Sigma in San Francisco, CA, seeks General Counsels to guide their finance software development. They focus on financial technology. This role involves legal strategy and compliance.


  10. Mochi Health
    Average Salary: $211,429
    Mochi Health, based in San Francisco, CA, offers General Counsels a role in healthcare technology. They develop digital health solutions. This position involves legal advice and policy development.

Currently 468 General Counsel job openings, nationwide.

View General Counsel Jobs in San Francisco, CA

How's the job market for a General Counsel in the US?

Learn what a General Counsel does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a General Counsel today.
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