Vetta
View National Data Scientist Benchmark Guide
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA Market Report
Fall 2026 UpdateUpdated October 3, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA (Fall 2026)

Highest national concentration of data architects. In San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA, the median annual base compensation is $163,366, representing a +41% adjustment compared to the national average.

Median Base
$163,366
Market Range (P10–P90)
$125K – $387K
3-Year Trajectory
+9.5%

Data Scientist Salary Distribution in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA

10th Percentile
$125,000
Entry / Junior
25th Percentile
$142,265
Mid-Level
50th (Median)
$163,366
Market Midpoint
90th Percentile
$387,000
Senior / Staff

Regional Market Insights & Cost of Living

The cost of living in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA is rated as Very High. When evaluating offers in this market, total purchasing power reflects local housing and tax obligations. Compared to national baseline levels ($$116,000), candidates in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CAcommand a 41% premium based on local demand drivers.

CoL Tier: Very HighNational Median: $116,000Data Sources: Agents for Hire; Levels.fyi
Avg Total Comp
$240,000
Experience Level
75th percentile TC at $328k

Subscribe to the newsletter to view Average Total Comp & Experience Insights

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Data Scientist salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA?
In San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA, the median base salary for a Data Scientist is $163,366 per year. Salaries typically range from $125K for entry-to-mid levels up to $387K for senior practitioners.
How does San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA compensation compare to the national average?
Data Scientist pay in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA is 41% above the national median ($116,000 national median). Cost of living for this market is classified as Very High.
What is the 3-year salary growth trend for Data Scientists in this market?
Compensation for Data Scientists has seen a 9.5% change over the past 3 years. Highest national concentration of data architects.
What data sources are used for this San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA benchmark?
This benchmark is compiled using Agents for Hire; Levels.fyi, with geographic adjustments based on Verified Cost of Living Indexes and local market surveys.

High Demand Track

Market demand for Data Scientist is at an all-time high. Join the Vetta Marketplace to access verified offers from employers hiring at these benchmarks.

Join Vetta Marketplace

Compare Data Scientist in Other Markets

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA$157KNew York-Newark-Jersey City NY-NJ-PA$144KBoston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH$142KSeattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA$139KWashington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV$139KLos Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA$139K

Other Tech Salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA

Software Engineer$187KSenior Software Engineer$210KMachine Learning Engineer$207KAI Engineer$238KProduct Manager$188KDevOps Engineer$174K