Technology San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

DevOps Engineer Salary in San Francisco, California

The median devops engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $249,796 per year, which is 97.0% above the national median and 28.8% above the California state average.

City Median
$249,796
vs State Avg
+$55,792
vs National
+$122,996
Cost of Living
182%

DevOps Engineer Pay in San Francisco: What to Expect (2026)

San Francisco offers a median devops engineer salary of $249,796, which is $55,792 above the California state average of $194,004. Compared to the national median of $126,800, San Francisco pays above average for this role.

However, San Francisco's cost of living index is 182%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $249,796 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $137,251. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Francisco should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for devops engineers in San Francisco spans from $157,994 at the 10th percentile to $384,150 at the 90th percentile — a $226,156 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $161,540, while senior devops engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $350,660. As a major metro area with a population of 873,965, San Francisco typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

DevOps Engineer Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level devops engineer earns around $161,540, while experienced professionals earn up to $350,660 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$161,540
+$79,540 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$252,160
+$124,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$350,660
+$172,660 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $157,994
25th Percentile $200,940
Median (50th) $249,796
75th Percentile $315,200
90th Percentile $384,150

DevOps Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

How to Become a DevOps Engineer in San Francisco

Education

Most devops engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. San Francisco and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AWS/Azure/GCPDockerKubernetesTerraformLinuxCI/CD

Job Outlook

Nationally, devops engineer employment is projected to grow 22% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in San Francisco may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find DevOps Engineer Jobs in San Francisco

Browse open devops engineer positions in San Francisco, CA:

Frequently Asked Questions: DevOps Engineer Salary in San Francisco

How much does a DevOps Engineer make in San Francisco, CA? ▼
The median devops engineer salary in San Francisco, California is $249,796 per year, which is 97.0% above the national median of $126,800. Salaries range from $157,994 (10th percentile) to $384,150 (90th percentile).
How much does a DevOps Engineer make per hour in San Francisco? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $249,796, a devops engineer in San Francisco earns approximately $120 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Francisco compare to the California state average for devops engineer pay? ▼
San Francisco's median devops engineer salary of $249,796 is 28.8% above the California state average of $194,004. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Francisco, CA? ▼
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 182% compared to the national average. This means a devops engineer salary of $249,796 in San Francisco has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a devops engineer in San Francisco? ▼
Most devops engineer positions in San Francisco require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AWS/Azure/GCP, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform. The job market is projected to grow 22% nationally over the next decade.