Salary Guide 2025

Software Engineer Salary in San Francisco

Average salary range: $134,400 - $210,000 per year

Salary Breakdown

25th Percentile

$151K

Median

$168K

75th Percentile

$189K

Top Earners

$210K+

$134K$168K (median)$210K

Factors That Affect Software Engineer Salary in San Francisco

Experience Level

Entry-level: -20%, Mid-level: baseline, Senior: +30-50%, Lead/Manager: +50-80%

Company Size & Type

Big Tech & Finance typically pay 20-40% above market. Startups may offer equity compensation.

Cost of Living

San Francisco has a specific cost of living that impacts salary expectations compared to other cities.

Skills That Increase Software Engineer Salary

JavaScript
Python
Java
React
Node.js
AWS
Git
SQL
Docker
Kubernetes

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