🇺🇸 Updated January 2025 • 4,200+ Data Points

AI Engineer Salary in San Francisco

Complete 2025 salary guide for AI, ML, and data science roles in San Francisco Bay Area. Real compensation data including base, equity, bonuses, and cost-of-living adjustment.

Average Total Comp

$240K

Range

$165K - $320K

Job Openings

4,200+

See Detailed Salaries

SF AI Salaries by Role & Experience Level

AI Engineer

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$145K

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$180K

Senior (6-10 yrs)

$215K

Staff (10+ yrs)

$280K

Avg Total Comp: $240K

Equity Value: $50-100K/year

Market Growth

+18%

vs last year

ML Engineer

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$138K

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$170K

Senior (6-10 yrs)

$205K

Staff (10+ yrs)

$265K

Avg Total Comp: $225K

Equity Value: $45-90K/year

Market Growth

+18%

vs last year

Data Scientist

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$128K

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$165K

Senior (6-10 yrs)

$195K

Staff (10+ yrs)

$240K

Avg Total Comp: $210K

Equity Value: $35-70K/year

Market Growth

+18%

vs last year

AI Research Scientist

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$160K

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$195K

Senior (6-10 yrs)

$240K

Staff (10+ yrs)

$320K

Avg Total Comp: $280K

Equity Value: $80-150K/year

Market Growth

+18%

vs last year

Top AI Employers in San Francisco

OpenAI

Avg Total Comp

$295K

AI Team Size

600+

YoY Growth

+45%

Very Active

Google

Avg Total Comp

$265K

AI Team Size

12,000+

YoY Growth

+12%

Active

Anthropic

Avg Total Comp

$285K

AI Team Size

400+

YoY Growth

+65%

Very Active

Salesforce

Avg Total Comp

$245K

AI Team Size

5,200+

YoY Growth

+10%

Active

Stripe

Avg Total Comp

$255K

AI Team Size

4,100+

YoY Growth

+15%

Active

Airbnb

Avg Total Comp

$250K

AI Team Size

3,800+

YoY Growth

+6%

Moderate

Cruise

Avg Total Comp

$240K

AI Team Size

2,200+

YoY Growth

-5%

Selective

Cost of Living in San Francisco

Rent (1BR)

$3,400/month

Downtown/SOMA

Food & Dining

$1,450

Groceries + eating out

Transportation

$150/month

BART/Muni pass

Total Monthly Living Cost (Single Person)

$6,180/month

$74,160/year per year

💰 Take-Home After Cost of Living:

Entry Level

$70K-90K

Mid Level

$105K-125K

Senior Level

$140K-165K

📊 SF vs Other Tech Hubs:

• $180K in SF = $120K in Austin (same purchasing power)

• $180K in SF = $130K in Seattle

• $180K in SF = $110K in Denver

• $180K in SF = $145K in NYC

How to Negotiate AI Salaries in SF

Know Your Worth

SF companies expect negotiation. Research levels.fyi, blind, and our data. Ask for 15-20% above first offer.

Avg increase from negotiation: $28K

Equity Matters

SF equity packages can be worth $50K-150K/year. Negotiate equity percentage, not just dollar value. Ask about refresh grants.

Equity = 20-35% of total comp

Multiple Offers

Having 2-3 offers significantly increases your leverage. Companies match or beat competing offers 75% of the time.

Avg bump with competing offer: $35K

Consider Total Package

Base + equity + bonus + benefits. Google/Meta offer great benefits ($15K+ value). Startups offer higher equity upside.

Benefits value: $15K-30K/year

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