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.
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.
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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
San Francisco Job Market
Global tech capital with highest tech salaries in the US, especially AI/ML.
Top Industries in San Francisco
Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists
Major employers active in San Francisco or hiring remotely from this metro.
All major employers use ATS software.
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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.
ATS Resume Keywords
Include these naturally throughout your resume.
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
| Period | Entry (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.
Tax Breakdown on $167,431
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.
| Experience | Annual 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.
+520.0% vs 2025
Technology sector growth driven by demand for LLMs and PyTorch.
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.
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
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.
Live Data Scientist Jobs in San Francisco
20 active listings — sourced from Adzuna, Greenhouse, Lever, USAJobs, and RemoteOK. Refreshed daily.
Principal Data Scientist
Staff Data Scientist - Digital Assets
Staff Data Scientist
Data Scientist
Senior Data Scientist
Research Scientist, Life Sciences (Chemistry)
Senior Software Development Engineer in Test - AI Tooling & Automation
Staff Data Scientist - Time Products
Senior Full-Stack Software Engineer, Game Records
Data Scientist
Senior Software Engineer, Data Platform
Staff Backend Engineer, Identity Threat Protection
Sr. Staff Software Engineer, Merchants
Staff Data Scientist, Forecasting
Data Engineer
Sr. Data Scientist, tvScientific
Staff Data Scientist, Ads Delivery
Staff Data Scientist, Finance & Business Ops
Staff Data Scientist, Ads Product
Data Scientist II, Infrastructure
Listings via Adzuna API, Greenhouse, Lever public boards, USAJobs.gov, and RemoteOK. CVCraft does not host these jobs — clicking redirects to the source.
Real Data Scientist Salary Stories from San Francisco
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Data Scientist Salary FAQ — San Francisco
What is the average Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA?
Is $167,431 a good Data Scientist salary in San Francisco?
Can you live on $167,431 in San Francisco?
Is $167,431 enough for a single person in San Francisco?
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How much do Data Scientists in San Francisco earn compared to the US average?
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Did Data Scientist salaries in San Francisco increase in 2026?
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What skills are most in demand for Data Scientists in 2026?
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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.
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