General Counsel General Counsel Salary in San Francisco, CA

General Counsel Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Oct 10, 2026
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How much does a General Counsel make in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary for a General Counsel is $240,776 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 $240,776 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 $20,065 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 $4,630 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.

In San Francisco, CA, General Counsels earn a strong salary. On average, they make about $240,776 each year. The range of salaries can vary widely. Most General Counsels in the area earn between $150,000 and $400,000 annually. This salary reflects the experience and qualifications of the individual, as well as the demands of the role.


Several factors influence a General Counsel's salary. These include the size of the company, the industry, and the individual’s level of experience. Larger companies and industries with high stakes often pay more. General Counsels with many years of experience in their field typically earn higher salaries. The job requires strong legal knowledge, strategic thinking, and the ability to handle complex issues, all of which contribute to the salary range.

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?

Job seekers interested in General Counsel positions will find several top-paying cities near San Francisco. Livermore offers an average salary of $317,680, making it the highest-paying area. Nearby cities like Palo Alto, Redwood City, and San Mateo also provide strong compensation, with average salaries ranging from $251,069 to $292,075. These cities present excellent opportunities for legal professionals looking to advance their careers. With high demand for experienced General Counsels, these locations offer competitive salaries and a chance to work in a dynamic environment.
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, legal professionals tackle complex issues in a tech-driven environment. Companies like Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory offer diverse challenges. The city values skilled attorneys who can navigate both corporate and regulatory landscapes.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Livermore, CA


  2. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $292,075
    Palo Alto brings opportunities to shape policies for tech giants like Google and Facebook. Attorneys here work on cutting-edge issues in tech and privacy. The city's innovative culture makes for an exciting legal career.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  3. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $265,980
    Redwood City offers a mix of tech and traditional businesses. Working here means advising companies like Oracle and Electronic Arts. The city values strategic legal advice that supports business growth and compliance.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Redwood City, CA


  4. San Mateo, CA
    Average Salary: $257,758
    San Mateo is a hub for tech innovation, with companies like Dropbox and Glu Mobile. Legal experts here focus on startup growth and complex litigation. The city’s vibrant business community offers dynamic legal challenges.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Mateo, CA


  5. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $254,233
    Oakland provides a unique blend of urban and tech industries. Working here means dealing with a mix of large corporations and local businesses. The city appreciates attorneys who can handle diverse legal issues effectively.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Oakland, CA


  6. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $251,069
    Mountain View is known for its tech companies like Google and Tesla. Attorneys here manage intellectual property and regulatory challenges. The city’s fast-paced environment suits dynamic legal professionals.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Mountain View, CA


  7. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $247,589
    Santa Clara hosts major tech firms like Intel and Apple. Legal professionals here focus on high-stakes litigation and corporate governance. The city values attorneys who can handle significant legal responsibilities.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  8. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $245,642
    Menlo Park is a center for tech innovation with companies like Meta (formerly Facebook). Attorneys here work on issues like data privacy and tech ethics. The city offers a progressive environment for forward-thinking legal work.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  9. Alameda, CA
    Average Salary: $235,290
    Alameda provides a blend of government and tech sectors. Working here offers opportunities with both local government and tech startups. The city values attorneys who can navigate both public and private sectors.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Alameda, CA


  10. South San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $229,127
    South San Francisco offers a mix of biotech and tech industries. Companies like Genentech and Gilead Sciences present unique legal challenges. The city values attorneys who can handle complex regulatory environments.
    Find General Counsel jobs in South San Francisco, CA

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

Job seekers looking for top-paying General Counsel roles should consider companies like OpenAI, Scale AI, and Genentech in San Francisco. These companies offer competitive salaries that reflect their commitment to legal expertise. For instance, OpenAI pays an average of $368,042, followed closely by Scale AI at $284,100 and Genentech at $283,350. These companies not only provide lucrative compensation packages but also offer a chance to work in dynamic and innovative environments. By choosing one of these firms, General Counsel can expect to be part of high-stakes decision-making processes.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $368,042 and Mochi Health with the lowest at $211,429.

  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $368,042
    OpenAI offers General Counsel roles that focus on legal issues related to artificial intelligence. The company operates in San Francisco, CA, and provides a dynamic environment for legal professionals. They seek candidates with strong leadership and innovative problem-solving skills.


  2. Scale AI
    Average Salary: $284,100
    Scale AI provides advanced AI-driven data labeling services. General Counsel roles here involve navigating complex legal landscapes in the tech industry. The company is based in San Francisco, CA, and is looking for legal experts who can handle high-stakes negotiations and compliance issues.


  3. Genentech
    Average Salary: $283,350
    Genentech, a biotechnology company based in San Francisco, CA, offers General Counsel positions that involve managing legal matters related to pharmaceuticals. This role requires candidates to have strong healthcare and biotech industry knowledge, along with excellent strategic thinking skills.


  4. Rippling
    Average Salary: $254,375
    Rippling specializes in human resources software. Their General Counsel roles in San Francisco, CA, focus on managing legal risks and compliance in the fast-growing tech sector. The company seeks candidates with experience in tech law and a proactive approach to legal challenges.


  5. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $252,380
    Salesforce, a leading CRM company based in San Francisco, CA, offers General Counsel roles that involve overseeing corporate legal strategies. These positions require candidates to have strong leadership and a deep understanding of corporate governance and compliance.


  6. Meta
    Average Salary: $245,952
    Meta, formerly known as Facebook, provides General Counsel positions with a focus on legal matters related to social media and data privacy. Based in San Francisco, CA, this role requires candidates who can navigate complex legal issues in the digital age.


  7. PagerDuty
    Average Salary: $235,517
    PagerDuty offers General Counsel roles focused on managing legal issues in the IT and software sectors. This San Francisco, CA-based company looks for candidates who can handle high-pressure situations and have a strong background in technology law.


  8. Recology
    Average Salary: $227,421
    Recology, an environmental services company based in San Francisco, CA, provides General Counsel roles that focus on environmental law and regulatory compliance. The company seeks candidates with experience in sustainability and environmental regulations.


  9. Sigma
    Average Salary: $222,188
    Sigma, an independent investment bank based in San Francisco, CA, offers General Counsel roles that involve financial and corporate law. This role requires candidates with a strong background in banking regulations and corporate governance.


  10. Mochi Health
    Average Salary: $211,429
    Mochi Health, a healthcare technology company based in San Francisco, CA, offers General Counsel roles that focus on healthcare law and technology. The company seeks candidates with experience in both legal and healthcare sectors.

Currently 541 General Counsel job openings, nationwide.

View General Counsel Jobs in San Francisco, CA

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