Data Scientists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The median pay for a data scientists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $166,300/year ($79.95/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $91K at the entry level to $227K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $143,846 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 36.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $166K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About data scientists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level data scientists (10th percentile) start around $91K. Mid-career wages sit at $166K.Top earners bring in $227K or more - a $136K spread from bottom to top.
Data Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $159K | +41% | 7,930 |
| District of Columbia | $137K | +22% | 3,580 |
| California | $137K | +22% | 36,850 |
| Massachusetts | $132K | +17% | 9,990 |
| New Jersey | $130K | +16% | 5,860 |
| Virginia | $126K | +12% | 6,200 |
| New York | $125K | +11% | 20,070 |
| Maryland | $124K | +10% | 3,400 |
| Hawaii | $124K | +10% | 240 |
| Vermont | $121K | +7% | 210 |
| Minnesota | $118K | +5% | 3,500 |
| Utah | $116K | +3% | 4,830 |
| North Carolina | $115K | +2% | 10,140 |
| Rhode Island | $114K | +2% | 1,190 |
| Illinois | $113K | +1% | 7,390 |
Track data scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do data scientists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $166,300 a year - that works out to about $79.95 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $91,410, and experienced data scientists can clear $227,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $166K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,401/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 38.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a data scientists salary go in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median data scientists salary is worth about $143,846 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do data scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.