San Francisco frontend developer salary: rankings and context
After a simplified 17% national tax estimate that is about US$10,600 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
San Francisco vs the national and CA picture
San Jose leads at US$166,670, 9% above San Francisco, while Portland sits at US$73,920. The neighbours in the ranking are San Jose and Washington.
CA has 4 metros with observed figures for this role. Their average is US$131,200, and San Francisco comes 2nd, +16% against it; elsewhere in the state: Los Angeles (US$107,290), San Diego (US$98,300) and San Jose (US$166,670).
Cost of living and take-home in San Francisco
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$152,500, is near its face value.
Cash rank and buying-power rank match for San Francisco: 2nd of 19.
After a simplified 17% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$10,600 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 16% of that, leaving around US$7,090 after modeled living costs.
Other CA options for frontend developers
In Los Angeles — also in CA — the median is US$107,290 (-30% vs San Francisco), and the modeled budget leaves US$2,880 less each month.
San Diego (also in CA) pays US$98,300, 36% less than San Francisco; modeled monthly leftover is US$3,460 lower.
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$104,820 (-31% vs San Francisco), and the modeled budget leaves US$3,040 less each month.
Other San Francisco jobs compared with frontend developer
Frontend Developer ranks 6th of 9 occupations with observed San Francisco data. Lawyer leads the city at US$212,500.
Closest neighbours in the San Francisco list: Mechanical Engineer at US$161,370 (+6%) and Project Manager at US$135,040 (-11%).
Entry-level vs senior frontend developer pay in San Francisco
Senior pay is the relative strength in San Francisco: US$216,060 at the 90th percentile ranks 2nd of 19, while US$80,190 at the 10th ranks 4th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$233,990 at the 90th percentile, +8% against San Francisco.
The frontend developer pay range in San Francisco
Pay is spread out: US$80,190 at the 10th percentile to US$216,060 at the 90th (2.7×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.