San Francisco Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
San Francisco, CA: $54.09/hr median hourly wage, $112,500 median annual salary, cost of living index 180, and $16.50/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
San Francisco Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in San Francisco, CA is $54.09/hr, equivalent to $112,500 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $33.54/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $76.81/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.50/hr.
Median Salary
$112,500
$54.09/hr
Cost of Living
180
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.50
per hour
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
San Francisco, CA Overview
Population
873,965
Median Salary
$112,500
Average Salary
$125,000
Avg Commute
34 min
Median Home Price
$1,250,000
Median Rent
$3,400/mo
Job Growth
+2.5%
Sales Tax
8.63%
San Francisco is located in California with a population of 873,965. The median household salary is $112,500 per year ($54.09/hour), which is $53,116 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 34 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.5%.
San Francisco Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in San Francisco, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $112,500 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $69,750 | $33.54/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $112,500 | $54.09/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $159,750 | $76.81/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $200,250 | $96.28/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
San Francisco Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in San Francisco, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$77,511
$6,459.27/month · $2,981.20/biweekly · Effective Rate: 31.1%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,981.20 take-home per paycheck after estimated California and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$112,500
Federal Tax
-$15,920
State Tax
-$10,463
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$8,606
Net Pay
$77,511
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $9,375.00 | $112,500.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$1,326.67 | -$15,920.00 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$871.88 | -$10,462.50 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$581.25 | -$6,975.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$135.94 | -$1,631.25 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $6,459.27 | $77,511.25 |
Salary Comparison: San Francisco vs Other Cities
See how San Francisco's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $112,500 | 180 | $62,500 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Bellevue, WA | $110,000 | 160 | $68,750 |
| Redmond, WA | $115,000 | 160 | $71,875 |
| Newton, MA | $115,110 | 162.5 | $70,837 |
| San Jose, CA | $117,000 | 195 | $60,000 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in San Francisco
San Francisco's cost of living index is 180 (national average = 100). Living in San Francisco is 80% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$1,250,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Annual Rent Cost
$40,800
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $77,511 annual take-home pay in San Francisco has the purchasing power of approximately $43,062 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $202,500 in San Francisco to match a $112,500 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in San Francisco
San Francisco's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $112,500.
Salary Tips for San Francisco Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. San Francisco has a cost of living 80% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 9.3% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. San Francisco's top industries include Technology, Finance, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $112,500 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Job Salaries in San Francisco, CA
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for San Francisco's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate San Francisco salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the San Francisco-CA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with San Francisco indexed at 180.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of San Francisco's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $112,500 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects California state income tax (9.3%) (no local income tax), sales tax (8.63%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for San Francisco: 3.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Finance, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $1,250,000, median rent $3,400/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for San Francisco, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — San Francisco unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — San Francisco QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — California — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. San Francisco's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent California labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in San Francisco, CA?
The median hourly wage in San Francisco, CA is $54.09 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $112,500 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $33.54/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $76.81/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median salary in San Francisco, CA is $112,500 per year, or $54.09 per hour. The average salary is $125,000. This is $53,116 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in San Francisco, CA?
San Francisco's cost of living index is 180 (national average = 100), meaning it is 80% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $1,250,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,400.
What are the best industries in San Francisco?
The top industries in San Francisco, CA include Technology, Finance, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.5% and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $112,500.
How does San Francisco's salary compare to other cities?
San Francisco's median salary of $112,500 is 89.4% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 180), the real purchasing power is approximately $62,500.
What is the minimum wage in San Francisco, CA?
The minimum wage in San Francisco, CA is $16.50 per hour. This equals approximately $34,320 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $9.25 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.