Research Engineer Research Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Research Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Jul 10, 2026
Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Research Engineer is $304,243 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 $304,243 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 $25,354 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 $5,851 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 $146 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Research Engineers in San Francisco, CA, have the opportunity to earn a good salary. The average yearly salary for this role is about $304,243. Salaries can vary, but many professionals make between $112,500 and $507,500 per year. This wide range offers potential for those with different levels of experience and specialization.

The salary for Research Engineers can depend on several factors. These include the person's education, experience, and the industry they work in. A Research Engineer with more years of experience or a higher degree may earn more. Also, working in certain tech companies can lead to higher pay. San Francisco's job market offers competitive salaries due to the high demand for tech talent in the area.

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 near San Francisco, CA, can find top salaries in several cities. San Jose offers the highest average salary at around $213,000. Other cities with competitive salaries include Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Santa Clara. Consider these cities when looking for a lucrative Research Engineer position. Both Palo Alto and Mountain View offer average salaries close to $200,000. Santa Clara also provides a strong average of nearly $188,000.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Research Engineer jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting San Jose, CA with the highest at $213,077 and Oakland, CA with the lowest at $93,848.

  1. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $213,077
    San Jose offers an exciting environment for those looking to advance in engineering. The tech hub houses many startups and established companies like Cisco and Google. Job seekers can expect a dynamic workplace with ample opportunities for innovation.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  2. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $208,990
    In Palo Alto, working in engineering means being at the heart of Silicon Valley. Companies like Hewlett Packard and Tesla bring diverse projects. Engineers here enjoy a collaborative atmosphere and the chance to contribute to cutting-edge technology.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  3. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $188,695
    Mountain View, home to Google, offers a prestigious setting for engineers. The city boasts a strong tech community, providing numerous opportunities for professional growth. Engineers here work on impactful projects that shape the future of technology.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  4. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $187,750
    Santa Clara is another tech powerhouse in California. With companies such as Intel and Apple, the city offers diverse engineering roles. Engineers here benefit from a vibrant tech scene and a supportive work culture focused on innovation.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  5. Berkeley, CA
    Average Salary: $187,136
    Berkeley provides a unique blend of academic and tech opportunities. The presence of UC Berkeley and tech startups like Palantir fosters a collaborative environment. Engineers here can engage in groundbreaking research and development.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA


  6. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $176,724
    Sunnyvale has a strong tech presence with major companies like VMware and NetApp. The city offers a vibrant job market for engineers. Professionals here enjoy working on diverse projects and being part of a dynamic tech community.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  7. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $153,836
    Menlo Park is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and tech giants like Facebook. Engineers in this city work on innovative projects and benefit from a supportive startup culture. The city offers a great balance of work and lifestyle.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  8. Livermore, CA
    Average Salary: $148,417
    Livermore, with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, offers a unique setting for engineering roles focused on research. The city provides a stable environment for those interested in advanced research and development projects.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Livermore, CA


  9. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $93,848
    Oakland provides a diverse range of engineering opportunities. With a mix of tech companies and startups, engineers here can find roles that match their interests. The city’s growing tech scene offers many chances for professional growth.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA

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

Anthropic stands out as the top-paying company for Research Engineers in San Francisco, offering an average salary of over $438,000. Renowned for its cutting-edge work in artificial intelligence, Anthropic attracts top talent seeking both high compensation and meaningful projects. Another leader in the tech space, OpenAI, provides competitive salaries, averaging nearly $385,000 for Research Engineers.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Anthropic with the highest at $438,875 and University of California - San Francisco with the lowest at $134,433.

  1. Anthropic
    Average Salary: $438,875
    At Anthropic, Research Engineers work on cutting-edge projects in artificial intelligence. The company has offices in San Francisco, CA, where engineers collaborate on innovative AI solutions.


  2. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $384,781
    OpenAI is known for its work in AI safety and development. Research Engineers here design and improve AI models. With headquarters in San Francisco, CA, the team engages in impactful research.


  3. Apple
    Average Salary: $201,217
    Apple hires Research Engineers to work on next-generation technologies. Based in Cupertino, CA, Apple’s research extends to San Francisco where engineers develop new software and hardware.


  4. Autodesk
    Average Salary: $150,293
    Autodesk employs Research Engineers to enhance its design and engineering software. Located in San Francisco, CA, engineers contribute to tools used by professionals worldwide.


  5. University of California - San Francisco
    Average Salary: $134,433
    Research Engineers at UC San Francisco work on health sciences and technology. The university’s location in San Francisco offers engineers a chance to collaborate in a leading academic environment.

Currently 117 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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