RateOrchard
METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Data Scientists salary in San Francisco, California

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the San Francisco metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$166,300
Mean annual$164,690
Range (10th to 90th)$91,410 to $227,300
San Francisco, California employment9,350
State vs national+43.8% vs national

Salary distribution

Where San Francisco data scientists fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$91,41025TH$128,100MEDIAN$166,30075TH$201,28090TH$227,300

The middle 50% of workers earn between $128,100 and $201,280, with a median of $166,300.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

Skill data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation. We refresh this section when O*NET publishes a new release.

Common tasks (O*NET)

Task data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation.

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Other metros in California

How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for data scientists.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Data Scientists in San Francisco, California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Data Scientists in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $166,300.
Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Data Scientists?
The San Francisco metro median is +21.6% versus the California state median of $136,800.
How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Data Scientists?
The San Francisco metro median is +43.8% versus the BLS national figure of $115,636.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists in San Francisco?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $91,410 and the 90th-percentile at $227,300 for the San Francisco metro area.
What education is required for Data Scientists?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.