City salary · United States · 2026
Data Scientist Salary in San Francisco (United States) 2026
How much does a data scientist make in San Francisco, United States? Our 2026 model applies a city pay multiplier and a separate city cost-of-living index to the United States mid-level band, so the gross range and the net value of that range are both shown here.
Figures use Toolminator's static salary model (ranges for comparison, not job listings). Methodology & limitations.
Salary range
$178,673–$222,349
Gross annual · USD
Average
$200,511
Est. take-home
$152,388
~24% effective tax (model)
Demand
high
rising trend
San Francisco vs the United States average
The same mid-level data scientist role priced two ways — the city-adjusted band and the national band — so you can see exactly what the location premium is worth before you compare offers.
| Basis | Gross range | Average | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $178,673 – $222,349 | $200,511 | $200,511 |
| United States national average | $131,040 – $163,072 | $147,056 | $147,056 |
San Francisco prices this role 36% above the United States national average in our model.
Data Scientist salary in San Francisco vs the United States average
Our model applies a city pay multiplier and a separate city cost-of-living multiplier, so the gross band for San Francisco and the band for the wider United States market are not simply the same number with a bigger city tax. The highest paying metro in the model, and the most expensive place to live in it — equity-heavy packages are the norm.
What San Francisco means for your net pay
A higher gross band in a high-cost city is only worth the move if the salary premium outruns the rent and commuting premium. Use the take-home and purchasing-power tools linked below: they convert this band to net local currency and to a US-equivalent purchasing-power figure so two offers can be compared directly.
Related salary pages
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Data Scientist make in San Francisco?
- A mid-level Data Scientist in San Francisco earns roughly $178,673 to $222,349 gross per year, with a midpoint near $200,511, in our 2026 model.
- What is the average Data Scientist salary in San Francisco?
- Our 2026 city-adjusted model puts the mid-level Data Scientist band in San Francisco at $178,673 to $222,349 per year before tax.
- Is San Francisco better or worse for pay than the rest of United States?
- The highest paying metro in the model, and the most expensive place to live in it — equity-heavy packages are the norm.
- What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in San Francisco?
- After the modelled 24% effective rate for United States, the $178,673 to $222,349 gross band translates to roughly $152,388 per year net at the midpoint.
- How much does cost of living in San Francisco change what that salary is worth?
- Cost of living in San Francisco is modelled at 1.45× the US baseline, so this gross band buys roughly $138,283 of US-equivalent purchasing power.
- Is this Data Scientist salary in San Francisco base pay or total compensation?
- The band is base gross pay. Bonuses, equity and allowances are excluded, so total compensation for the same role in San Francisco can sit 10–25% above the figure shown.
Plan your finances
Interactive calculators—same privacy model as our other tools (browser-only).
Browse programmatic pay data in Salary Explorer.