How much does a Staff Engineer make in San Francisco, CA?
In San Francisco, CA, a Staff Engineer often enjoys a rewarding salary. On average, they make about $218,000 a year. This number can change based on experience and other factors. Most Staff Engineers earn between $132,750 and $291,000.
When looking at these figures, it's important to understand the distribution of salaries. About 1.51% of Staff Engineers earn less than $132,750. At the other end, 1.13% earn more than $291,000. Most fall in the middle, earning between $161,523 and $233,455. This wide range shows the potential for growth and the value placed on experience and skills in this role.
What are the highest paying cities for a Staff Engineer near San Francisco, CA?

-
Mountain View, CA
Average Salary: $222,901
Mountain View offers a vibrant tech scene with top companies like Google. Working here provides a chance to collaborate with top-notch talent. The city is known for its innovative environment and excellent benefits.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA
-
Sunnyvale, CA
Average Salary: $208,282
Sunnyvale has a strong tech presence with companies such as VMware. Employees here benefit from a dynamic work culture and competitive salaries. It's an excellent place for growth and innovation.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA
-
San Mateo, CA
Average Salary: $202,645
San Mateo is home to many tech giants like Oracle. Staff Engineers here enjoy a mix of challenging projects and a supportive work environment. The city offers a good quality of life.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in San Mateo, CA
-
Redwood City, CA
Average Salary: $196,538
Redwood City is known for its major tech firms such as GitHub. Engineers here work on cutting-edge projects and enjoy a vibrant community. The city provides a balanced lifestyle.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in Redwood City, CA
-
Oakland, CA
Average Salary: $195,743
Oakland has a growing tech scene with companies like Stripe. Working here offers diverse projects and a chance to be part of innovative solutions. The city is known for its rich culture.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA
-
San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $187,196
San Jose is the heart of Silicon Valley with companies like Intel and Adobe. Engineers here get to work on groundbreaking projects. The city offers a dynamic work environment and a strong tech community.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA
-
Palo Alto, CA
Average Salary: $183,615
Palo Alto is home to major tech companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Working here provides opportunities for professional development and collaboration with top talent. The city offers a great quality of life.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA
-
Menlo Park, CA
Average Salary: $171,833
Menlo Park is famous for Facebook and other tech firms. Engineers here work on exciting projects and enjoy a vibrant, innovative atmosphere. The city provides a mix of urban and suburban living.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA
-
Alameda, CA
Average Salary: $169,704
Alameda has a blend of tech companies and a strong community. Working here offers a chance to be part of meaningful projects. The city provides a good work-life balance and excellent amenities.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in Alameda, CA
-
South San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $162,268
South San Francisco is known for its biotech and tech companies. Engineers here work on cutting-edge projects and enjoy a supportive work environment. The city offers a peaceful lifestyle with easy access to urban amenities.
Find Staff Engineer jobs in South San Francisco, CA
What are the best paying companies for a Staff Engineer in San Francisco, CA?

-
Strava
Average Salary: $255,600
Strava, based in San Francisco, helps millions of athletes track their fitness activities. As a Staff Engineer at Strava, you will work on high-impact projects. You will use cutting-edge technologies to enhance our apps. Strava offers a dynamic and innovative environment.
-
Sigma Computing
Average Salary: $255,000
Sigma Computing, also in San Francisco, provides data tools for businesses. A Staff Engineer at Sigma will design data products that help companies analyze their data. They will collaborate with teams to deliver top-quality solutions.
-
Crunchyroll
Average Salary: $245,788
Crunchyroll, an anime streaming service, offers a creative workplace in San Francisco. As a Staff Engineer, you will work on projects to improve the streaming experience. You will engage with a passionate community and contribute to exciting initiatives.
-
Rippling
Average Salary: $236,539
Rippling, located in San Francisco, specializes in HR software. A Staff Engineer at Rippling will develop features that enhance the platform. You will work on projects that make HR processes easier for businesses.
-
CRUSOE
Average Salary: $234,667
CRUSOE, based in San Francisco, focuses on software for wealth management. As a Staff Engineer, you will design and implement software solutions. You will collaborate with clients to create effective wealth management tools.
-
Uber
Average Salary: $231,643
Uber, a global ride-sharing company, has a strong presence in San Francisco. As a Staff Engineer, you will work on projects to improve the Uber app. You will contribute to features that enhance the user experience and make transportation more efficient.
-
Okta
Average Salary: $221,214
Okta, based in San Francisco, provides identity and access management solutions. As a Staff Engineer, you will develop tools that secure user data. You will work on projects to make identity management more reliable and secure.
-
Collective Health
Average Salary: $221,057
Collective Health, also in San Francisco, offers healthcare benefits management. A Staff Engineer will design software to streamline healthcare processes. You will collaborate with teams to create solutions that improve health benefits for users.
-
Unity Technologies
Average Salary: $219,450
Unity Technologies, based in San Francisco, provides game development tools. As a Staff Engineer, you will work on projects to enhance the Unity engine. You will contribute to tools that help game developers create immersive experiences.
-
Tonal
Average Salary: $209,667
Tonal, located in San Francisco, specializes in smart home fitness equipment. As a Staff Engineer, you will develop software to enhance the Tonal experience. You will work on projects to create innovative fitness solutions.
What are the best paying Staff Engineer related jobs in San Francisco, CA?

-
Research Engineer
Average Salary: $297,712
Research engineers innovate and develop new technologies. They work at companies like Google and Apple. These roles require deep technical skills and creativity.
Find Research Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Principal Engineer
Average Salary: $230,069
Principal engineers lead engineering teams. They focus on project management and technical direction. Companies such as Microsoft and Salesforce hire for these roles. They need strong leadership and problem-solving skills.
Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Machine Learning Engineer
Average Salary: $212,507
Machine learning engineers build and refine algorithms. Companies like Uber and LinkedIn hire them. These roles involve coding and data analysis. They need a strong understanding of mathematics and computer science.
Find Machine Learning Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Security Engineer
Average Salary: $208,968
Security engineers protect systems from threats. They work for companies like Facebook and Dropbox. These roles require expertise in cybersecurity and risk management. They need to stay updated on the latest security trends.
Find Security Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Site Reliability Engineer
Average Salary: $202,389
Site reliability engineers ensure systems run smoothly. They work for companies such as Netflix and Twitter. These roles involve monitoring and maintaining performance. They need strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Find Site Reliability Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Hardware Engineer
Average Salary: $196,602
Hardware engineers design and test physical components. They work for companies like Intel and AMD. These roles involve electronics and circuit design. They need skills in both software and hardware.
Find Hardware Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Firmware Engineer
Average Salary: $188,555
Firmware engineers develop software for hardware. They work for companies such as Qualcomm and Xilinx. These roles involve embedded systems and low-level programming. They need strong coding skills and problem-solving abilities.
Find Firmware Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Data Engineer
Average Salary: $187,035
Data engineers build and maintain data systems. They work for companies like Airbnb and Spotify. These roles involve databases and data pipelines. They need strong skills in data management and analysis.
Find Data Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Technical Architect
Average Salary: $185,939
Technical architects design system architecture. They work for companies such as Oracle and IBM. These roles require a deep understanding of technology and design principles. They need strong communication and leadership skills.
Find Technical Architect jobs in San Francisco, CA
-
Solutions Architect
Average Salary: $179,311
Solutions architects create technical solutions. They work for companies like Amazon and Cisco. These roles involve designing and implementing systems. They need strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Find Solutions Architect jobs in San Francisco, CA



