Staff Engineer Staff Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Staff Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Updated on Mar 10, 2026
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City
Salary

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

The average salary for a Staff Engineer is $217,868 per year in San Francisco, CA.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Staff Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $217,868 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Staff Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $18,156 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Staff Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $4,190 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Staff Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, showing an average salary of $105 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

In San Francisco, California, a Staff Engineer can expect a competitive salary. The average yearly salary sits at around $217,868. This income level reflects the city's high cost of living and the demand for skilled tech professionals. Many Staff Engineers enjoy benefits that complement their base pay, such as bonuses, stock options, and health insurance.

Salaries for Staff Engineers in San Francisco vary based on experience and company. Entry-level engineers may start at around $132,750, while those with more experience can earn over $290,000. Here’s a quick look at some common salary ranges:

  • $132,750 to $147,136 for early-career engineers
  • $147,136 to $161,523 for mid-level engineers
  • $161,523 to $175,909 for experienced engineers
  • $175,909 to $190,295 for senior engineers
  • $190,295 to $219,068 for lead engineers
  • $219,068 to $233,455 for top-tier engineers
  • $233,455 to $262,227 for principal engineers
  • $262,227 to $291,000 for very senior engineers

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

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

Job seekers looking for staff engineer roles near San Francisco can find top-paying opportunities in several nearby cities. Mountain View leads with an average salary of $219,222, followed closely by Sunnyvale at $204,938. San Mateo and Redwood City also offer competitive salaries above $200,000, making these areas attractive to professionals in the field. Additionally, San Jose, Palo Alto, and Oakland provide average salaries of over $180,000, showing strong demand and compensation in the tech industry. Cities like Menlo Park and South San Francisco, while slightly lower on average, still offer salaries that exceed $160,000. These figures highlight the lucrative prospects available for skilled staff engineers in the region.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Staff Engineer jobs near San Francisco, CA, highlighting Mountain View, CA with the highest at $219,222 and South San Francisco, CA with the lowest at $162,268.

  1. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $219,222
    Mountain View offers many tech giants, including Google. Engineers here work on cutting-edge projects and tech innovations. This city promises exciting career growth and a dynamic work environment.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  2. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $204,938
    Sunnyvale is home to major tech companies like Oracle and Cisco. Engineers enjoy a vibrant and collaborative work culture. The city's tech-focused environment provides many opportunities for professional development.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  3. San Mateo, CA
    Average Salary: $202,645
    In San Mateo, companies like Uber and Square offer exciting engineering roles. Engineers benefit from a supportive community and access to top-notch tech facilities. The city's tech scene is always buzzing with new projects.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in San Mateo, CA


  4. Redwood City, CA
    Average Salary: $198,333
    Redwood City hosts big names like Oracle and Electronic Arts. Engineers here engage in innovative projects and enjoy a strong sense of community. The city’s thriving tech environment ensures plenty of growth opportunities.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA


  5. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $186,870
    San Jose is the heart of Silicon Valley, home to many tech firms. Engineers work on groundbreaking projects and have access to numerous professional development resources. The city offers a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  6. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $183,951
    Palo Alto is home to companies like Tesla and Hewlett Packard. Engineers here enjoy a collaborative atmosphere and the chance to work on exciting projects. The city’s vibrant tech culture provides a fertile ground for career advancement.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  7. Oakland, CA
    Average Salary: $183,555
    In Oakland, tech firms like Box and Zendesk provide rewarding engineering opportunities. Engineers benefit from a creative work environment and a strong sense of community. The city offers many perks and a high quality of life.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA


  8. Alameda, CA
    Average Salary: $167,758
    Alameda is home to NASA and other tech firms. Engineers have the chance to work on innovative projects and enjoy a supportive work environment. The city’s tech focus provides excellent career growth opportunities.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in Alameda, CA


  9. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $167,421
    Menlo Park, home to Facebook, offers a unique tech environment. Engineers work on leading-edge projects and benefit from a vibrant tech community. The city’s innovative atmosphere ensures exciting career prospects.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  10. South San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $162,268
    South San Francisco is home to biotech and tech companies. Engineers have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects and enjoy a dynamic work environment. The city's growing tech scene offers numerous career growth opportunities.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in South San Francisco, CA

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

Looking for a Staff Engineer job in San Francisco? Strava, Sigma Computing, and Crunchyroll offer some of the highest salaries. The average salary at Strava is around $255,600, making it one of the top-paying companies in the area. Sigma Computing follows closely with an average salary of $255,000, while Crunchyroll provides a competitive $245,788 on average. For those who value a strong salary, Rippling, Uber, and Okta also pay well. Rippling offers an average of $236,539, Uber pays about $230,733, and Okta offers around $221,214 annually. Other companies like Unity Technologies and Tonal are also great options, offering around $210,933 and $209,667 respectively. These salaries make San Francisco an excellent place for Staff Engineers to advance their careers.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Staff Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA, highlighting Strava with the highest at $255,600 and SoFi with the lowest at $200,100.

  1. Strava
    Average Salary: $255,600
    Strava offers Staff Engineer roles with a focus on sports and fitness technology. The company operates in San Francisco, CA, and other locations globally, providing a chance to work on exciting projects.


  2. Sigma Computing
    Average Salary: $255,000
    Sigma Computing focuses on data analytics and visualization. Staff Engineers at Sigma work on complex data problems to enhance their BI tools. The company has offices in San Francisco, CA, and other areas.


  3. Crunchyroll
    Average Salary: $245,788
    At Crunchyroll, Staff Engineers play a key role in delivering anime streaming services. The company's San Francisco, CA, office is at the heart of its operations, offering innovative tech solutions.


  4. CRU SOE
    Average Salary: $241,100
    CRU SOE provides finance technology solutions. Staff Engineers here develop advanced financial tools. The company operates in San Francisco, CA, and other key locations.


  5. Rippling
    Average Salary: $236,539
    Rippling offers HR and payroll solutions. Staff Engineers create user-friendly and efficient HR systems. The company’s San Francisco, CA, office leads in delivering tech innovations.


  6. Uber
    Average Salary: $230,733
    Uber offers ride-sharing services. Staff Engineers at Uber work on scalable and efficient systems. The company has a major presence in San Francisco, CA, and other global markets.


  7. Okta
    Average Salary: $221,214
    Okta provides identity and access management solutions. Staff Engineers here enhance security and user access. The company operates in San Francisco, CA, and other regions.


  8. Unity Technologies
    Average Salary: $210,933
    Unity Technologies specializes in game development. Staff Engineers work on tools that power interactive games. The company is based in San Francisco, CA, among other locations.


  9. Tonal
    Average Salary: $209,667
    Tonal creates smart home gyms. Staff Engineers develop software that integrates with fitness equipment. The company operates in San Francisco, CA, and other areas.


  10. SoFi
    Average Salary: $200,100
    SoFi offers financial services. Staff Engineers here create tech solutions to support financial products. The company operates in San Francisco, CA, and other markets.

Currently 589 Staff Engineer job openings, nationwide.

View Staff Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

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

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