San Francisco data scientist salary: rankings and context
Here is how that number compares with the rest of the United States, with CA, and with other jobs in San Francisco.
Data Scientist pay in San Francisco: national and in-state ranking
On a United States league table of 21 metros, San Francisco comes 2nd. One place higher is San Jose at US$185,080, one lower is Seattle at US$164,740, and San Jose tops the list.
Compared only with other CA metros — Los Angeles (US$129,740), San Diego (US$130,990) and San Jose (US$185,080) — San Francisco ranks 2nd of 4, 10% over the US$154,000 state average.
Take-home, rent and buying power for San Francisco data scientists
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$170,100).
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 2nd of 21 either way.
Take-home on the median comes to roughly US$11,700 monthly (17% effective tax in our simplified model). Rent for a modeled 1-bedroom is 14% of it, and the single-adult budget ends about US$8,210 in the black.
Other CA options for data scientists
Los Angeles (also in CA) pays US$129,740, 24% less than San Francisco; modeled monthly leftover is US$2,550 lower.
San Diego (also in CA) pays US$130,990, 23% less than San Francisco; modeled monthly leftover is US$2,480 lower.
New York (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$135,980, 20% less than San Francisco; modeled monthly leftover is US$2,160 lower.
Other San Francisco jobs compared with data scientist
Of the 9 roles we track in San Francisco, Data Scientist is 4th by median; the highest is Lawyer (US$212,500).
Closest neighbours in the San Francisco list: Registered Nurse at US$186,610 (+10%) and Mechanical Engineer at US$161,370 (-5%).
How San Francisco ranks at the low and high end
Entry and senior pay rank the same in San Francisco: 2nd of 21 at both the 10th and the 90th percentile.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$282,840 at the 90th percentile, +4% against San Francisco.
How wide data scientist pay runs in San Francisco
Pay is spread out: US$99,170 at the 10th percentile to US$272,430 at the 90th (2.7×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.