Science & Research San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

Epidemiologist Salary in San Francisco, California

The median epidemiologist salary in San Francisco, CA is $142,906 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median and 31.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$142,906
vs State Avg
+$34,548
vs National
+$64,386
Cost of Living
182%

Epidemiologist Pay in San Francisco: What to Expect (2026)

San Francisco offers a median epidemiologist salary of $142,906, which is $34,548 above the California state average of $108,358. Compared to the national median of $78,520, 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 $142,906 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $78,520. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Francisco should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for epidemiologists in San Francisco spans from $91,000 at the 10th percentile to $229,320 at the 90th percentile — a $138,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $94,640, while senior epidemiologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $218,400. 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.

Epidemiologist Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level epidemiologist earns around $94,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $218,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$94,640
+$42,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$145,600
+$65,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$218,400
+$98,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $91,000
25th Percentile $112,840
Median (50th) $142,906
75th Percentile $183,820
90th Percentile $229,320

Epidemiologist Salary in Other California Cities

San Jose, CA
$131,914
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$114,639
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$111,498
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$92,654
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Epidemiologist in San Francisco

Education

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

Key Skills

EpidemiologyBiostatisticsSAS/RDisease SurveillanceResearch MethodsPublic Health

Job Outlook

Nationally, epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 27% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in San Francisco may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Epidemiologist Jobs in San Francisco

Browse open epidemiologist positions in San Francisco, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Epidemiologist Salary in San Francisco

How much does a Epidemiologist make in San Francisco, CA? ▼
The median epidemiologist salary in San Francisco, California is $142,906 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median of $78,520. Salaries range from $91,000 (10th percentile) to $229,320 (90th percentile).
How much does a Epidemiologist make per hour in San Francisco? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $142,906, a epidemiologist in San Francisco earns approximately $69 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Francisco compare to the California state average for epidemiologist pay? ▼
San Francisco's median epidemiologist salary of $142,906 is 31.9% above the California state average of $108,358. 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 epidemiologist salary of $142,906 in San Francisco has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a epidemiologist in San Francisco? ▼
Most epidemiologist positions in San Francisco require a master's degree. Key skills include Epidemiology, Biostatistics, SAS/R, Disease Surveillance. The job market is projected to grow 27% nationally over the next decade.