Software Engineer Software Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Software Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Mar 10, 2026
Position
City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Software Engineer is $196,887 per year in San Francisco, CA.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Software Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $196,887 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Software Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $16,407 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Software Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $3,786 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Software Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $95 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

If you are a software engineer in San Francisco, CA, you can expect a competitive salary. The average yearly salary for this role is around $196,887. This figure reflects the high demand for skilled software engineers in the tech hub of San Francisco.


The salary distribution for software engineers in the area shows a wide range of earnings. A significant percentage of professionals earn between $124,864 and $220,918 per year. Only a small number of software engineers make over $316,973 annually, highlighting the top-tier income potential for those at the upper echelons of the profession. With such a robust salary structure, a career as a software engineer in San Francisco can be both rewarding and financially lucrative.

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

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

Software engineers near San Francisco can find high salaries in several cities. San Mateo, CA, leads with an average salary of $200,137. Other top cities include Menlo Park, CA, and Mountain View, CA, both offering salaries above $185,000. These cities provide excellent opportunities for professionals seeking rewarding positions.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Software Engineer jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting San Mateo, CA with the highest at $200,137 and Fremont, CA with the lowest at $165,416.

  1. San Mateo, CA
    Average Salary: $200,137
    San Mateo is home to many tech companies, offering Software Engineers the chance to work on cutting-edge projects. This city features a vibrant community and a great quality of life. Companies like Oracle and PayPal provide opportunities for professional growth and innovation.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in San Mateo, CA


  2. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $190,307
    Known as the home of Facebook, Menlo Park offers Software Engineers a unique chance to work with some of the world's top tech talent. The city combines a quiet, suburban feel with access to numerous tech opportunities. Engineers here can expect to work in dynamic and fast-paced environments.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  3. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $188,689
    Mountain View, the headquarters of Google, provides Software Engineers with countless opportunities to shape the future of technology. The city is known for its collaborative spirit and innovation. Engineers can expect to work on impactful projects that have a global reach.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  4. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $185,531
    In Sunnyvale, Software Engineers can enjoy a mix of big tech companies and startups. The city offers a thriving job market with companies like Broadcom and Flex. Sunnyvale provides a supportive community for tech professionals looking to advance their careers.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  5. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $185,508
    Santa Clara is a tech hub, with companies like Intel and Apple offering exciting opportunities for Software Engineers. The city combines a high quality of life with access to numerous job openings. Engineers here can look forward to working on impactful and innovative projects.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  6. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $178,874
    Palo Alto is known for its strong tech industry, providing Software Engineers with many opportunities to innovate. The city hosts companies like HP and Tesla, offering a diverse range of projects. Engineers can expect to work in a collaborative environment that values creativity and innovation.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  7. South San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $168,129
    South San Francisco offers a blend of tech and life sciences, providing Software Engineers with unique opportunities. The city is home to companies like Genentech and Illumina. Engineers here can work on projects that combine technology with healthcare and biotechnology.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in South San Francisco, CA


  8. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $165,933
    San Jose is a major tech center, offering Software Engineers numerous opportunities in a dynamic environment. The city is home to giants like Cisco and eBay. Engineers can expect to work on innovative projects that have a significant impact on the tech industry.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  9. Mill Valley, CA
    Average Salary: $165,500
    Mill Valley provides a relaxed atmosphere while offering Software Engineers access to tech jobs. The city is known for its scenic beauty and proximity to tech hubs. Engineers can enjoy a good work-life balance while working for companies in the nearby tech industry.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Mill Valley, CA


  10. Fremont, CA
    Average Salary: $165,416
    Fremont is a growing tech center, offering Software Engineers the chance to work for innovative companies. The city is home to companies like Flex and Cadence. Engineers can expect to be part of a growing tech community with many opportunities for advancement.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Fremont, CA

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

Anthropic, OpenAI, and Snap Inc. lead the list of top-paying companies for Software Engineers in San Francisco, CA. Anthropic offers an impressive average salary of $344,009, followed closely by OpenAI at $330,211. Snap Inc. also provides a competitive average salary of $267,000. Job seekers interested in these roles can expect attractive compensation packages. Intuit, West Monroe, and reddit also provide high salaries for Software Engineers in San Francisco. Intuit offers an average salary of $255,750, while West Monroe and reddit both provide average salaries around $255,000. These companies present excellent opportunities for those looking to advance their careers in the tech industry.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Software Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Anthropic with the highest at $344,009 and Alchemy with the lowest at $242,500.

  1. Anthropic
    Average Salary: $344,009
    Anthropic is a tech company in San Francisco. They focus on AI safety. They offer top pay for their software engineers. They work with cutting-edge technologies.


  2. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $330,211
    OpenAI is in San Francisco. They work on AI and machine learning. They pay well for software engineers. They have offices in many locations.


  3. Snap Inc.
    Average Salary: $267,000
    Snap Inc. is based in San Francisco. They created Snapchat. They offer competitive salaries for software engineers. They have offices worldwide.


  4. Intuit
    Average Salary: $255,750
    Intuit is in Mountain View but has many jobs in San Francisco. They make financial software. They pay software engineers well. They have offices in several countries.


  5. West Monroe
    Average Salary: $255,067
    West Monroe is a consulting firm in San Francisco. They focus on technology. They pay well for software engineers. They have offices in multiple locations.


  6. reddit
    Average Salary: $253,787
    Reddit is in San Francisco. They are a social news site. They pay well for software engineers. They have offices in the U.S. and Canada.


  7. Unify
    Average Salary: $253,125
    Unify is a software company in San Francisco. They focus on customer experience. They pay well for software engineers. They have offices in the U.S. and Europe.


  8. 6Sense
    Average Salary: $248,868
    6Sense is a tech company in San Francisco. They focus on sales and marketing AI. They pay well for software engineers. They have offices in the U.S. and Asia.


  9. ThousandEyes
    Average Salary: $245,925
    ThousandEyes is in San Francisco. They focus on digital experience. They pay well for software engineers. They have offices in the U.S. and Europe.


  10. Alchemy
    Average Salary: $242,500
    Alchemy is in San Francisco. They focus on content management. They pay well for software engineers. They have offices in the U.S. and Asia.

Currently 9,369 Software Engineer job openings, nationwide.

View Software Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

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