ocity
💰 COL Index: 118 — Higher Cost

Salaries in San Francisco, CA

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-25 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$73,576
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$62,247
model average ÷ 118.2 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$166,226
City 1BR Rent Reference
$2,818
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for San Francisco?

$73,576 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$73,576/year
Gross monthly equivalent$6,131/month
Household income context$126,730

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 +6% vs national

Marketing Manager

$166,226
💡 Purchasing-power model $140,631
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $79.92/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +6% vs national

Pharmacist

$143,457
💡 Purchasing-power model $121,368
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $68.97/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +6% vs national

Software Developer

$134,208
💡 Purchasing-power model $113,543
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.52/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +6% vs national

Construction Manager

$114,118
💡 Purchasing-power model $96,547
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $54.86/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +6% vs national

Project Manager

$106,809
💡 Purchasing-power model $90,363
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $51.35/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in San Francisco

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (118.2/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $166,226
2 Pharmacist $143,457
3 Software Developer $134,208
4 Construction Manager $114,118
5 Project Manager $106,809
6 Physical Therapist $105,154
7 Financial Analyst $104,415
8 Web Developer $97,814
9 Dental Hygienist $92,309
10 Accountant $90,779
11 Registered Nurse $90,769
12 Data Analyst $87,911
13 Insurance Agent $84,304
14 Loan Officer $80,360
15 Police Officer $79,000
16 Human Resources Specialist $71,343
17 Elementary School Teacher $67,146
18 Plumber $66,808
19 Paralegal $66,176
20 Electrician $64,910
21 Real Estate Agent $64,836
22 Graphic Designer $64,689
23 Social Worker $64,182
24 Chef/Head Cook $63,645
25 Firefighter $60,238
26 Carpenter $60,027
27 HVAC Technician $58,709
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $57,602
29 Heavy Truck Driver $55,988
30 Welder $52,297
31 Auto Mechanic $50,958
32 Personal Trainer $49,228
33 Dental Assistant $47,267
34 Veterinary Technician $45,073
35 Pharmacy Technician $42,500
36 Cosmetologist $40,465
37 Medical Assistant $40,359
38 Security Guard $38,113
39 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $37,712
40 Nail Technician $35,170

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

San Francisco salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are approximately 1.055×. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 118.2 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-25; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in San Francisco

🏠
1BR Rent
$2,818/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$3,359/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$1,400,000
📉
Unemployment
5.2%
💳
Median Income
$126,730
🎓
College Educated
60%
🚶
Walk Score
70/100
📊
Cost of Living
118
Higher Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your San Francisco Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ San Francisco Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in San Francisco mean on this page?

▼
$73,576 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all San Francisco workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in San Francisco?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $6,131 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in San Francisco?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for San Francisco?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is approximately 1.055×; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for San Francisco

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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