San Francisco, California Compensation Guide

Data Scientist Salary in San Francisco, California

Comprehensive 2026 compensation analysis for Data Scientists in San Francisco. Explore local wage distributions, net take-home pay, state tax implications, and rental affordability.

San Francisco Median Pay
$196,000
$16,333/month gross
vs. National Benchmark
+42%
National avg: $138,000
Net Monthly Take-Home
$11,058
After federal & state taxes
Rent-to-Income Ratio
28%
1-bed rent: $3,100/mo
State Income Tax: 9.3% estimated state & local tax burden
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Data Scientist Salary Percentiles in San Francisco

Data sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS and adjusted for San Francisco, California metro market factors.

10th Percentile
$120,500
Entry level
25th Percentile
$156,000
Early career
50th (Median)
$196,000
Metro benchmark
75th Percentile
$248,500
Senior level
90th Percentile
$309,500
Staff / Lead

Estimated Paycheck & Tax Withholdings

Annual Gross Salary:$196,000
Estimated Federal Income Tax:-$45,080
Estimated State/Local Tax (9.3%):-$18,228
Annual Net Take-Home:$132,692
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Net Monthly Paycheck:$11,058
Median 1-Bed Rent:-$3,100
Discretionary Income:~$7,958/mo

Compare Data Scientist in San Francisco vs. Other Cities

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San Francisco vs. San Jose (Silicon Valley)San Francisco vs. SeattleSan Francisco vs. Los AngelesSan Francisco vs. San DiegoSan Francisco vs. PortlandSan Francisco vs. SacramentoSan Francisco vs. AustinSan Francisco vs. Dallas-Fort Worth

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist in San Francisco

What is the average Data Scientist salary in San Francisco?

The median base salary for a Data Scientist in San Francisco, California is $196,000 per year ($16,333/month). Entry-level roles start around $120,500, while senior and staff-level professionals earn up to $309,500.

How does San Francisco Data Scientist pay compare to the national average?

Data Scientist salaries in San Francisco are 42% above the U.S. national benchmark of $138,000.

What is the estimated monthly take-home pay for a Data Scientist in San Francisco?

At the median salary of $196,000, the estimated monthly net take-home pay in San Francisco is approximately $11,058 after deducting estimated federal taxes ($3,757/mo) and state/local taxes ($1,519/mo).

Is San Francisco affordable for a Data Scientist?

With an average 1-bedroom rent of $3,100/month, housing consumes approximately 28% of a Data Scientist's estimated net take-home pay, which is well within the recommended 30% financial guideline.

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