📊 Official Bureau of Labor Statistics & Tech Benchmark (2026)

Data Scientist Salary in San Francisco, CA

Detailed compensation breakdown, percentiles, and market demand for Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA.

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Verified Compensation Research: Analytically verified by Jobflixs Labor Analytics Team • Primary Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), SEC 10-K filings & H-1B Disclosures (2026). View Methodology →
Demand: +35%
$204,240
/ year (Median Base Pay)
💵 Hourly Equivalent: $98.19/hr
📊 80% Range: $144,900 – $310,500
📍 Regional Multiplier: +38% vs National Baseline
10th % Entry $144,900
25th % Junior $174,570
50th % Median $204,240
75th % Senior $257,370
90th % Top 10% $310,500
Base Annual Salary $204,240
Target Annual Bonus $24,509
Annual Stock / Equity $44,933
Total Compensation (TC) $273,682
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Fact-Checked & Methodologically Verified by the SalaryPulse Research Team.
Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS Survey), DOL Certified H-1B Disclosures & Public SEC 10-K Filings. Learn about our formula →
Live Opportunities (Salary Transparency)

Verified Data Scientist Openings in San Francisco, CA

Top employers actively hiring near or above the $204,240/yr median benchmark.

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Salary Progression by Experience Level in San Francisco, CA

Estimated pay progression across career stages for Data Scientist

Entry-Level (0 - 2 yrs)

Junior Data Scientist

Recent graduates and early career entrants.

Median Pay
$144,900
Mid-Level (2 - 5 yrs)

Data Scientist

Autonomous execution and domain proficiency.

Median Pay
$204,240
Senior (5 - 8 yrs)

Senior Data Scientist

System architecture, mentorship, and project leadership.

Median Pay
$257,370
Lead / Principal (8+ yrs)

Staff / Principal

Strategic direction and cross-functional technical decisions.

Median Pay
$310,500

Data Scientist Salary in Other US Locations

Compare regional earnings and cost-of-living adjustments

San Francisco, CA

COL Index: 179.5%
$204,240

San Jose, CA

COL Index: 174.2%
$201,280

New York, NY

COL Index: 186%
$198,320

Seattle, WA

COL Index: 148%
$189,440

Hawaii

COL Index: 179%
$189,440

Oakland, CA

COL Index: 155%
$189,440

Boston, MA

COL Index: 149%
$185,000

California

COL Index: 142%
$185,000

Role Profile & Career Requirements

Data Scientists translate petabytes of structured and unstructured business data into statistical insights, customer behavior models, and strategic decision algorithms.

Required Education
Master's in Statistics, Data Science, or CS
Experience Benchmark
2-5 years
10-Year Projected Growth
+35%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Data Scientist make in San Francisco, CA?

The median annual salary for a Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA is $204,240, with entry-level professionals earning around $144,900 and top 10% senior specialists earning up to $310,500.

What is the average hourly rate for a Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA?

On average, a Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA makes approximately $98.19 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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