Software Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA
How much does a Software Engineer make in San Francisco, CA?
In San Francisco, California, software engineers enjoy some of the highest salaries in the nation. On average, a software engineer can expect to earn around $184,357 per year. This figure reflects the high demand for tech talent in the area and the competitive nature of the job market.
The salary range for software engineers in San Francisco can vary widely based on experience, skills, and the specific company. Entry-level positions might start around $88,400, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $315,000. Companies like Google, Apple, and various startups often offer salaries at the higher end of the spectrum. Additionally, many tech firms provide benefits such as stock options, bonuses, and other perks, which can significantly boost total compensation.
What are the highest paying cities for a Software Engineer near San Francisco, CA?

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San Mateo, CA
Average Salary: $186,009
San Mateo offers a vibrant tech scene with many opportunities for software developers. Companies like Google and Salesforce are nearby, making it a great place to work. The area is known for its friendly community and beautiful weather.
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Santa Clara, CA
Average Salary: $178,649
Santa Clara is a hub for tech giants such as Intel and Apple. Working here means being part of a dynamic environment with many chances to grow. The city's tech-friendly atmosphere makes it ideal for software engineers.
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Sunnyvale, CA
Average Salary: $175,694
Sunnyvale is home to numerous tech companies, including eBay and VMware. It offers a lively work environment with many networking opportunities. The city's modern infrastructure makes commuting easy.
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Palo Alto, CA
Average Salary: $173,702
Palo Alto is known for its innovative tech companies, including Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Working here means being part of a cutting-edge industry. The city offers a high quality of life with its parks and cultural events.
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Daly City, CA
Average Salary: $173,358
Daly City provides a mix of tech jobs and a quieter lifestyle. Companies like Oracle and Genentech offer opportunities for software engineers. The area is diverse and has a strong sense of community.
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Mountain View, CA
Average Salary: $173,159
Mountain View is famous for being the home of Google. It offers many job opportunities for software developers. The city is known for its innovation and vibrant social scene.
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Mill Valley, CA
Average Salary: $173,125
Mill Valley offers a blend of tech jobs and a scenic environment. Companies like Dropbox and Tesla are nearby. The area is known for its natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle.
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Menlo Park, CA
Average Salary: $171,637
Menlo Park is known for its tech companies, including Facebook. It offers many opportunities for software engineers. The city is vibrant and has a strong community spirit.
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Brisbane, CA
Average Salary: $160,355
Brisbane offers a quieter tech environment with companies like Oracle. It provides a good work-life balance. The city is known for its parks and family-friendly atmosphere.
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San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $159,499
San Jose is a major tech center with companies like Cisco and Adobe. It offers many job opportunities for software engineers. The city is diverse and has a lively cultural scene.
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What are the best paying companies for a Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA?

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Anthropic
Average Salary: $325,250
Anthropic offers exciting opportunities for Software Engineers in San Francisco. The company focuses on AI safety and innovation. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
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OpenAI
Average Salary: $319,647
OpenAI provides a dynamic environment for Software Engineers in San Francisco. The company works on cutting-edge AI technologies. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
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Comcast
Average Salary: $252,799
Comcast offers competitive salaries for Software Engineers in San Francisco. The company provides a range of tech services. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
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Alchemy
Average Salary: $242,500
Alchemy offers rewarding Software Engineer positions in San Francisco. The company focuses on digital transformation. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
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Sigma Computing
Average Salary: $235,625
Sigma Computing provides excellent opportunities for Software Engineers in San Francisco. The company specializes in data analytics. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
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ThousandEyes
Average Salary: $234,420
ThousandEyes offers attractive salaries for Software Engineers in San Francisco. The company focuses on digital experience monitoring. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
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Cisco
Average Salary: $231,800
Cisco offers competitive Software Engineer positions in San Francisco. The company is a leader in networking technology. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
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GoodRx
Average Salary: $230,900
GoodRx offers rewarding Software Engineer roles in San Francisco. The company focuses on making healthcare more affordable. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
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Airtable
Average Salary: $230,533
Airtable provides excellent opportunities for Software Engineers in San Francisco. The company specializes in collaborative work management. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
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Pinterest
Average Salary: $227,712
Pinterest offers competitive Software Engineer positions in San Francisco. The company focuses on visual discovery and bookmarking. It operates in San Francisco, CA.
What are the best paying Software Engineer related jobs in San Francisco, CA?

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Machine Learning Engineer
Average Salary: $195,380
This role focuses on creating models and algorithms. Companies like Google and Uber hire for these positions. They seek experts who can build systems that learn from data.
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Site Reliability Engineer
Average Salary: $189,332
These professionals ensure systems run smoothly. Firms such as Salesforce and LinkedIn look for SREs. They work to prevent outages and improve system performance.
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Security Engineer
Average Salary: $187,895
Protecting systems from threats is key. Firms like Dropbox and Slack hire security engineers. They develop strategies to keep data safe from cyber attacks.
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Technical Architect
Average Salary: $187,246
Designing system architecture is crucial. Companies such as Oracle and IBM seek technical architects. They create blueprints for software systems.
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Product Manager
Average Salary: $171,420
Overseeing product development is vital. Firms like Slack and GitHub hire product managers. They work to define product vision and strategy.
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Data Engineer
Average Salary: $161,290
Managing data infrastructure is important. Companies like Airbnb and Postmates hire data engineers. They build systems to handle large data sets.
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Systems Engineer
Average Salary: $159,644
Ensuring systems work together is key. Firms like Salesforce and LinkedIn hire systems engineers. They focus on integrating and maintaining systems.
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Solution Architect
Average Salary: $156,951
Creating solutions to business problems is essential. Companies such as Oracle and IBM hire solution architects. They design systems to meet business needs.
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DevOps Engineer
Average Salary: $154,153
Bridging development and operations is crucial. Firms like Netflix and Uber hire DevOps engineers. They automate processes to improve efficiency.
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UI/UX Designer
Average Salary: $151,664
Designing user interfaces and experiences is key. Companies like Google and Dropbox hire UI/UX designers. They focus on creating intuitive and appealing designs.
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