Salary Guide 2026
Data Scientist Salary in San Francisco
Based on market data for mid-level professionals (3-5 years experience).
Entry Level
$88,068
/year
Mid Level
$178,847
/year
Senior
$273,846
/year
Based on 13 real Data Scientist job postings in San Francisco. Figures reflect live listings on ResumeKart. Salaries as advertised; currencies not converted. Salary data from Jul 2026 — recent figures not available yet.
💼 6+ live Data Scientist jobs in San Francisco paying $178,847+
Open roles at or above the median — apply with an ATS-optimised resume to land the top of the range.
Data Scientist
Mercor · San Francisco
Member of Technical Staff (Data Scientist)
Perplexity · San Francisco
Senior / Staff Data Scientist, Trust & Safety
Suno · San Francisco
Data Scientist
Plaid · San Francisco HQ
Senior Data Scientist - Network Value (Guard)
Plaid · San Francisco HQ
Senior Data Scientist - Embedded Insights
Plaid · San Francisco HQ
Live Market Data
Sourced from Adzuna's job market intelligence — refreshed every few hours.
12-Month Salary Trend
Average advertised salary, monthly
$156k
↑ 3.5% YoY
Salary Distribution
How 5,961 live job postings break down by advertised salary
Top 5 companies hiring Data Scientist in San Francisco
Live employer leaderboard from Adzuna job postings
- 1Deloitte2,339 openings
- 2Capital One1,106 openings
- 3EY794 openings
- 4Oracle711 openings
- 5Meta607 openings
Cost of Living in San Francisco
The Bay Area commands top tech salaries globally, offset by extremely high housing and living costs.
Factors Affecting Data Scientist Salary in San Francisco
Years of Experience
Entry-level Data Scientists in San Francisco start around $88,068, while senior professionals with 8+ years can earn $273,846 or more.
Company Size & Stage
Startups may offer lower base pay but compensate with equity. Established enterprises and FAANG-tier companies in San Francisco typically pay at the top of the range.
Technical Skills
Specialised skills command premium salaries. For Data Scientists, in-demand skills can increase compensation by 15-30% above the median.
Education & Certifications
Advanced degrees (MBA, MS) and industry certifications can add 10-20% to base salary, especially at senior levels.
How to Negotiate a Higher Data Scientist Salary
Research market rates — use this page to benchmark your expected salary range in San Francisco.
Quantify your impact — prepare 3-5 metrics that demonstrate the value you delivered in previous roles.
Optimise your resume before applying — a strong, ATS-optimised resume positions you as a top candidate, which gives you more leverage.
Negotiate the total package — consider equity, bonuses, remote flexibility, and professional development budgets alongside base salary.
Optimise Your Resume for Higher Pay
Candidates with ATS-optimised resumes that highlight metrics and impact receive more interview callbacks. Build yours in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Data Scientist salary in San Francisco?
Is San Francisco a good city for Data Scientists?
How can I increase my Data Scientist salary in San Francisco?
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