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Senior engineer salary in San Francisco, CA (Updated 2026)

How much does a Senior Engineer make in San Francisco, CA?

Average base salary

$196,813
36%
above national average
Average $196,813
Low $134,684
High $287,603

The average salary for a senior engineer is $196,813 per year in San Francisco, CA. 250 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated November 8, 2026).

Senior Engineer job openings in San Francisco, CA

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Senior Server Engineer II
Strava4.3out of 5 stars.
San Francisco, CA
$198,000 - $235,000 a year
Full-time
1 day ago

Highest paying companies for Senior Engineer in San Francisco, CA

Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.
EARNEST
 
$289,000per year
View company
BASELAYER
 
$285,000per year
Bain & Company
 
$275,856per year
Mochi Health
 
$265,588per year
CRUSOE
 
$263,750per year
Pinterest
 
$262,578per year

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Highest paying cities for Senior Engineers near San Francisco, CA

  1. San Francisco, CA
    $196,813 per year
  2. Sunnyvale, CA
    $183,200 per year
  3. Santa Clara, CA
    $173,241 per year
  4. Oakland, CA
    $167,524 per year
  5. Long Beach, CA
    $165,064 per year

Where can a Senior Engineer earn more?

Compare salaries for Senior Engineers in different locations
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Senior Engineer

The average salary for a Senior Engineer is $196,813 per year in San Francisco, CA. This figure is based on 250 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on November 8, 2026.

Senior Engineer jobs on Indeed - find your next one today.

Senior Engineer salaries in San Francisco, CA typically range between a low of $134,684 and a high of $287,603 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Senior Engineer in San Francisco, CA include Sunnyvale, CA at $183,200 per year, Santa Clara, CA at $173,241 per year, and Oakland, CA at $167,524 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Senior Engineer in San Francisco, CA include EARNEST ($289,000 per year) and BASELAYER ($285,000 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Senior Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA compares to related positions:

  • Associate Engineer: Average $139,076 per year
  • Engineer: Average $184,130 per year
  • Senior Engineer: Average $196,813 per year
  • Entry Level Engineer: Average $94,647 per year
  • Junior Engineer: Average $117,035 per year
  • Senior Associate Engineer: Average $116,161 per year

How much do similar professions as Senior Engineer get paid in San Francisco, CA?

Associate Engineer

Job openings
Average $139,076 per year

Senior Associate Engineer

Job openings
Average $116,161 per year