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AI Engineer Salary in San Francisco, California

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$199,837/ year

Median AI Engineer in San Francisco, CA

$118,326
10th
$144,300
25th
$199,837
Median
$268,250
75th
$327,265
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$199,837
Total compensation (est.)
$229,813
Bonus range
$3,900 – $17,400
Mean salary
$211,827

How This Compares

San Francisco, CA median
$199,837
California median
$110,180+81.4%
National median
$108,020+85.0%

Cost of living in San Francisco is 85% above the national average. Salary of $199,837 here is equivalent to $108,020 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$143,883-28.0%
3-5 years
$181,852-9.0%
6-10 years
$223,817+12.0%
10+ years
$275,775+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$175,857-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$199,837
Enterprise (5,000+)
$235,808+18.0%

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AI Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Los Angeles, CA$163,110/yr
San Diego, CA$155,549/yr
San Jose, CA$192,276/yr
Fresno, CA$108,020/yr
Sacramento, CA$108,020/yr

Related Jobs in San Francisco

Software Engineer$240,796/yr
Senior Software Engineer$240,796/yr
Frontend Developer$231,047/yr
Backend Developer$240,796/yr
Full Stack Developer$240,796/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$96/hr
Monthly gross$16,653/mo
25th percentile$144,300/yr
75th percentile$268,250/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

California Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.5%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

AI Engineer Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average AI Engineer salary in San Francisco?

The median AI Engineer salary in San Francisco is $199,837 per year, with a range from $144,300 at the 25th percentile to $268,250 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does AI Engineer pay in San Francisco compare to the national average?

AI Engineer salaries in San Francisco are 85% above the national median of $108,020. After adjusting for San Francisco's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $108,020 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect AI Engineer salaries in San Francisco?

In San Francisco, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level AI Engineer roles start around $118,326, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $327,265 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is San Francisco a good place for AI Engineer jobs?

San Francisco offers a AI Engineer median of $199,837, which is 85% above the US median of $108,020. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — San Francisco is 85% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher AI Engineer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for AI Engineer in San Francisco is $268,250, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.