Engineering · Salary Guide · San Francisco
Data Engineer Salary in San Francisco
San Francisco continues to set the top of the compensation market in 2026, particularly for AI/ML roles. Base salaries run 30–40% above the national average, and equity packages at AI labs have pushed total comp at staff-level roles past $900k in some offers. The cost of living is the counterweight: a $250k base in SF is roughly equivalent in purchasing power to $165k in Austin. California's 13.3% top marginal state income tax is the highest in the US, and rent for a 1BR averages $3,400/month. Remote-first companies headquartered in SF often still pay SF rates regardless of employee location, so it's worth asking about geographic pay bands before assuming you need to move.
Median base in San Francisco
$223k
Cost of living index
180
US = 100
Market multiplier
1.35x
vs US national
Salary by experience level in San Francisco
| Experience level | Base salary (US national) |
|---|---|
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | $135k – $203k |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | $189k – $270k |
| Senior (6–9 yrs) | $243k – $371k |
| Staff / Principal (10+ yrs) | $344k – $581k |
Adjusted from national ranges using the San Francisco market multiplier (1.35x).
Tax and take-home considerations
California state income tax up to 13.3%. High total tax burden offset by highest base salaries.
Dominant employers in San Francisco
Highest base salaries in the US but COL roughly 2x national average.
FAQ
What is the average data engineer salary in San Francisco?
The median base salary for a data engineer in San Francisco is approximately $223k in 2026. San Francisco continues to set the top of the compensation market in 2026, particularly for AI/ML roles.
Does San Francisco have state income tax for data engineers?
California state income tax up to 13.3%. High total tax burden offset by highest base salaries.
Which companies hire the most data engineers in San Francisco?
The dominant employers in San Francisco are OpenAI, Stripe, Anthropic, Salesforce, Airbnb. Highest base salaries in the US but COL roughly 2x national average.
What is the average data engineer salary in the US?
As of 2026, the median base salary for a US data engineer is about $165,000, with mid-level ranges of $140k–$200k. Total comp at large tech companies typically adds 35–55% through equity and bonuses.
Do data engineers make more than data scientists?
At the senior/staff level in 2026, data engineers and data scientists are at parity — within a few thousand dollars at most companies. At the entry level, data engineering tends to pay 5–10% more because infrastructure skills are scarcer and harder to bootstrap.
Related Data Engineer Resources
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