How does San Francisco compare to other US cities for Software Engineer salaries?

San Francisco has a salary multiplier of 1.35x compared to the US average. Cost of living should also be considered when comparing locations.

Software Engineer Salary in San Francisco

What Software Engineers earn in San Francisco, plus take-home pay breakdown and comparison to other US cities.

San Francisco Salary Range$161k - $217k+35% vs US average

Monthly Take-Home$8,540 - $11,398After federal, California state tax (6% 401k)

Find Software Engineer Jobs in San Francisco Calculate Take-Home Pay

Cost of Living in San Francisco

San Francisco has a cost of living index of 180% compared to the US average. This means everyday expenses are typically 80% higher than average, which is reflected in the higher salaries.

ComparisonSan FranciscoUS Average

Salary Multiplier135%100%

Cost of Living180%100%

Purchasing Power75%100%

Tax Note: Progressive brackets 1-13.3% (highest in US)

Salary by Experience in San Francisco

How Software Engineer salaries progress with experience in San Francisco:

Experience LevelSalary RangeMonthly Net

Junior (1-2 years)$81k - $230k$4,672 - $12,023

Mid-Level (3-5 years)$97k - $270k$5,466 - $13,871

Senior (5-8 years)$113k - $324k$6,261 - $16,238

Lead / Principal (8+ years)$130k - $378k$7,049 - $18,575

Staff / Principal$146k - $432k$7,819 - $21,028

Compare Software Engineer Salaries by City

How San Francisco compares to other US cities for Software Engineer roles:

New York City$155k - $209k+30% vs avg Seattle$149k - $201k+25% vs avg Los Angeles$137k - $185k+15% vs avg Boston$143k - $193k+20% vs avg Washington DC$137k - $185k+15% vs avg Austin$131k - $177k+10% vs avg

Related Roles in San Francisco

Data Analyst$74k - $162k Product Manager$122k - $270k UX Designer$95k - $216k Product Designer$108k - $243k

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Jobs in San Francisco

Browse Software Engineer vacancies in San Francisco

US Salary Overview

See Software Engineer salaries across all US locations

Take-Home Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in San Francisco?

The average Software Engineer salary in San Francisco is $161k - $217k, which is 35% above the US national average.

Is San Francisco a good place to work as a Software Engineer?

San Francisco offers competitive salaries for Software Engineer roles. With a purchasing power index of 75%, while salaries may be higher, the elevated cost of living should be considered.

What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in San Francisco?

Based on a salary of $161k - $217k, the estimated monthly take-home pay is $8,540 - $11,398 after federal, california state tax (6% 401k).

Salary data is based on industry research and job posting analysis. Actual salaries may vary. Use our take-home pay calculator for detailed breakdowns.