90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — San Francisco, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in San Francisco: $167K Median

Data Scientists in San Francisco, CA earn between $105K and $285K per year.

That's +55% above the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA is $167,431 per year — +55% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $105,059 (entry, 25th percentile) to $285,340 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in San Francisco earned approximately $27,005 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$167,431
+520.0% YoY · $13,953/mo
Entry
$131,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$255,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$285,340
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — San Francisco vs Nearby
San Francisco
$167K
Los Angeles
$138K
+21% vs San Francisco
San Diego
$127K
+31% vs San Francisco
Fresno
$103K
+63% vs San Francisco

Free ATS scan · San Francisco employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in San Francisco

Data scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and inform business decisions. They combine statistics, programming, and domain expertise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Build machine learning models
  • Analyze structured/unstructured data
  • Deploy models to production
  • Communicate findings to stakeholders
  • A/B testing and experimentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio)

In-demand certifications

Google Data AnalyticsTensorFlow DeveloperAWS ML SpecialtyMicrosoft DA-100

San Francisco Job Market

Global tech capital with highest tech salaries in the US, especially AI/ML.

Population
873K
Cost of Living
244
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$1300K

Top Industries in San Francisco

Tech (FAANG, AI)FinanceBiotechTourism

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in San Francisco or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Meta
Netflix
Uber
Airbnb
OpenAI
Anthropic
Databricks

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Data Scientist listings.

LLMsPyTorchMLOpsdbtSnowflakeGenAI

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PythonSQLTensorFlowPyTorchmachine learningstatisticsA/B testingdata visualizationpandasscikit-learn
Career Outlook
+36% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand.

Data Scientist Salary Breakdown — San Francisco

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$105,059$167,431$285,340
Monthly$8,755$13,953$23,778
Weekly$2,020$3,220$5,487
Hourly$51$80$137

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for San Francisco's cost-of-living multiplier (1.55×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in San Francisco

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$115,887.384
Per month$9,657
Biweekly paycheck$4,457
Effective tax rate30.8%

Tax Breakdown on $167,431

Gross salary$167,431
Federal income tax−$29,526.44
California state tax−$9,208.705
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$12,808.472
Take-home (net)$115,887.384

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Data Scientist Salary by Experience — San Francisco

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in San Francisco.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$121,210
2–3 yr$131,750
4–6 yr$193,750
7–10 yr$255,750
11–15 yr$301,785
15+ yr$270,545

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for San Francisco's 1.55× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$27,005
2026 median:$167,431
Change:+$140,426

Technology sector growth driven by demand for LLMs and PyTorch.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$68,619
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in San Francisco

Walk-away anchor: $145,592 (offers below this are below market for San Francisco).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $256K–$285K for experienced roles, citing San Francisco market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — San Francisco

What is the average Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA?
The average Data Scientist salary in San Francisco is $167,431 per year as of April 2026 — $13,953/month, $3,220/week, or about $80/hour. Salaries range from $105,059 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $285,340 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for San Francisco's cost-of-living multiplier (1.55×).
Is $167,431 a good Data Scientist salary in San Francisco?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. San Francisco's cost-of-living index is 244 (vs 100 nationally), giving $167,431 a real purchasing power of approximately $68,619 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $167,431 in San Francisco?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For San Francisco specifically (median home price $1,300,000), a $167,431 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $167,431 enough for a single person in San Francisco?
A single adult in San Francisco typically needs ~$109,800 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $167,431 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $167,431 enough for a couple in San Francisco?
A couple (one earner) in San Francisco typically needs ~$175,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $167,431 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $167,431 each ($334,862 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $167,431 enough for a family of 4 in San Francisco?
A family of 4 (one earner) in San Francisco typically needs ~$268,400 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $167,431 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of San Francisco. Childcare costs in San Francisco typically run $37K-$68K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in San Francisco?
On a $167,431 Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA, you take home approximately $115,887.384 per year ($9,657/month, $4,457 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $29,526.44, state $9,208.705, FICA $12,808.472. Effective tax rate: 30.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in San Francisco earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in San Francisco earn approximately 55% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $167,431 in San Francisco). However, San Francisco's cost-of-living index of 244 means real purchasing power is approximately $68,619 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in San Francisco?
Entry-level Data Scientists in San Francisco typically start at around $131,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $255,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $285,340+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in San Francisco increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in San Francisco grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $27,005 in 2025 to $167,431 in 2026 (+$140,426). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in San Francisco?
Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand. San Francisco's top industries include Tech (FAANG, AI), Finance, Biotech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Data Scientists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Data Scientists are: LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps, dbt, Snowflake, GenAI. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in San Francisco.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in San Francisco?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near San Francisco include: Google, Meta, Netflix, Uber, Airbnb, OpenAI. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Data Scientist salary in San Francisco?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Data Scientist salary in San Francisco?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Google Data Analytics or TensorFlow Developer). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Data Scientist in San Francisco?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, San Francisco's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Data Scientist salary figures for San Francisco are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by San Francisco's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.55× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in San Francisco

Software Engineer →Machine Learning Engineer →Product Manager →Web Developer →DevOps Engineer →Cybersecurity Analyst →

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$138KSan Diego, CA$127KFresno, CA$103KSacramento, CA$117KLong Beach, CA$130KOakland, CA$151K

Land a $167K+ Data Scientist Role in San Francisco

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Technology roles