Sales Engineers Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $154,420 +27.1% vs national
Median hourly $74.24
10th percentile $85,740
90th percentile $214,230
Employed locally 1,430
National median $121,520

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Sales Engineers
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San Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $85,740
    25th
    $114,940
    50th (median)
    $154,420
    75th
    $190,750
    90th
    $214,230

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Sales Engineers salary vs area income 115% Median Sales Engineers salary is 15% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Sales Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $179,490
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $173,640
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $170,400
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $169,560
    Arizona $169,470
    Delaware $166,400

    Nearby metros — Sales Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $173,640
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $163,810
    Ocala, FL $158,190
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $136,380
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $135,310
    California $134,990

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cashiers $39,520
    Retail Salespersons $42,490
    Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel $99,300
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $83,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $57,160
    Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents $101,720

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sales Engineers make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Sales Engineers in San Francisco, CA is $74.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $104.11 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Sales Engineers salaries?

    The median Sales Engineers salary in San Francisco, CA is 27.1% above the national median of $121,520. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Sales Engineers in San Francisco?

    Entry-level Sales Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $85,740 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $114,940.