Research Engineer Research Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Research Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Dec 10, 2025
Position
City
Salary

How much does a Research Engineer make in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary for a Research Engineer is $294,089 per year in San Francisco, CA.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $294,089 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $24,507 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $5,656 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $141 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

A Research Engineer in San Francisco, CA, earns an average yearly salary of $294,089. This salary can vary based on experience and specific skills. Engineers with more experience can earn more, while those just starting out may earn less.

The salary range can be quite broad. Some Research Engineers earn as little as $106,000 a year, while others earn over $457,000. Most engineers fall somewhere in the middle of this range. The highest-paid 10% of Research Engineers earn over $393,591 a year. This shows that there is a lot of potential for growth in this field.

Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
View all Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA

What are the highest paying cities for a Research Engineer near San Francisco, CA?

Research Engineers in the San Francisco area have many high-paying job opportunities. Redwood City, CA, offers the highest average salary at $225,917. Palo Alto, CA, follows closely with an average salary of $208,990. These cities provide excellent career prospects for those in the field.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Research Engineer jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting Redwood City, CA with the highest at $225,917 and Oakland, CA with the lowest at $92,404.

  1. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $225,917
    In Redwood City, tech innovation thrives. Companies like Oracle and Tesla offer exciting opportunities. Engineers work on cutting-edge projects, pushing the boundaries of technology.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  2. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $208,990
    Palo Alto is a hub for tech giants. Google and Hewlett Packard Enterprise provide dynamic environments. Engineers here focus on developing new technologies and improving existing ones.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  3. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $204,196
    San Jose is Silicon Valley's heart. Companies like Intel and eBay offer diverse roles. Engineers collaborate on projects that drive the tech industry forward.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  4. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $184,299
    Santa Clara is home to many tech companies. Apple and VMware provide innovative work environments. Engineers here work on projects that shape the future of technology.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  5. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $180,894
    Mountain View is known for its tech companies. Google and YouTube offer exciting opportunities. Engineers here work on projects that impact millions of users worldwide.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  6. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $168,975
    Sunnyvale is a tech hotspot. Companies like Broadcom and eBay offer dynamic roles. Engineers here focus on developing new technologies and improving existing ones.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  7. Livermore, CA
    Average Salary: $154,640
    Livermore is a center for scientific research. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory offers unique opportunities. Engineers here work on projects that have a global impact.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Livermore, CA


  8. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $146,925
    Menlo Park is known for its tech companies. Facebook and LinkedIn offer innovative roles. Engineers here focus on projects that shape the digital world.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  9. Berkeley, CA
    Average Salary: $105,149
    Berkeley is a hub for academic and tech innovation. UC Berkeley and various startups offer diverse opportunities. Engineers here work on projects that push the boundaries of knowledge.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA


  10. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $92,404
    Oakland is a growing tech center. Companies like Salesforce and various startups offer exciting roles. Engineers here focus on projects that drive the tech industry forward.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA

What are the best paying companies for a Research Engineer in San Francisco, CA?

Research Engineers in San Francisco, CA, can find excellent opportunities with top companies like Anthropic and OpenAI. These companies offer competitive salaries, with Anthropic leading at $406,500 and OpenAI close behind at $381,250. Apple, Autodesk, and the University of California - San Francisco also provide attractive compensation packages for those in the field.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Anthropic with the highest at $406,500 and University of California - San Francisco with the lowest at $134,433.

  1. Anthropic
    Average Salary: $406,500
    Anthropic is a leading tech company in San Francisco, CA. They focus on artificial intelligence research. They offer Research Engineer jobs that involve developing new AI technologies. Anthropic operates in San Francisco, CA, and is known for its innovative projects.


  2. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $381,250
    OpenAI is another top company in San Francisco, CA. They work on advanced AI research. Research Engineers at OpenAI develop cutting-edge AI models. They operate in San Francisco, CA, and are recognized for their contributions to AI technology.


  3. Apple
    Average Salary: $201,217
    Apple is a well-known tech giant based in San Francisco, CA. They offer Research Engineer positions that focus on developing new technologies. Apple's Research Engineers work on innovative projects. They operate in San Francisco, CA, and are a leader in tech innovation.


  4. Autodesk
    Average Salary: $154,644
    Autodesk is a company in San Francisco, CA, that specializes in design software. They offer Research Engineer jobs that involve creating new software tools. Autodesk operates in San Francisco, CA, and is known for its design solutions.


  5. University of California - San Francisco
    Average Salary: $134,433
    The University of California - San Francisco is a leading research institution. They offer Research Engineer positions that focus on medical and scientific research. The university operates in San Francisco, CA, and is known for its academic excellence.

Currently 115 Research Engineer job openings, nationwide.

View Research Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

How's the job market for a Research Engineer in the US?

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