Sales Engineers Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The median pay for a sales engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $154,420/year ($74.24/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $86K at the entry level to $214K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $133,570 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 39.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $154K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About sales engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level sales engineers (10th percentile) start around $86K. Mid-career wages sit at $154K.Top earners bring in $214K or more - a $128K spread from bottom to top.
Sales Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $179K | +48% | N/A |
| Arizona | $169K | +39% | 1,220 |
| Delaware | $166K | +37% | 100 |
| New Jersey | $145K | +20% | 1,960 |
| Tennessee | $144K | +19% | 1,040 |
| New York | $138K | +13% | 2,970 |
| Virginia | $135K | +11% | 1,190 |
| California | $135K | +11% | 6,980 |
| Montana | $135K | +11% | 40 |
| West Virginia | $133K | +9% | N/A |
| Texas | $127K | +4% | 8,870 |
| Nevada | $125K | +3% | 350 |
| Maryland | $124K | +2% | 470 |
| Louisiana | $122K | +1% | N/A |
| Washington | $122K | +1% | 760 |
Track sales engineers 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 sales engineers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $154,420 a year - that works out to about $74.24 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $85,740, and experienced sales engineers can clear $214,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $154K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,817/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 40.9% 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 sales engineers 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 sales engineers salary is worth about $133,570 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sales engineers 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.