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Computer Systems Engineers/Architects Salary in San Francisco, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Computer Systems Engineers/Architects in San Francisco, CA have a median annual salary of $161,700, with 16,930 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $63,340 at the 10th percentile to $255,390 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$161,700

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$77.74

Employment

16,930

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$63,340
10th
$102,340
25th
$161,700
Median
$206,460
75th
$255,390
90th

Local compared with national

San Francisco, CA

$161,700

Median annual · 2025

United States

$116,580

Median annual · 2025

The San Francisco, CA median is 38.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $45,120).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 4.0
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.0
  4. 4.WritingImportance 3.9
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.9
  6. 6.Systems AnalysisImportance 3.9
  7. 7.Systems EvaluationImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.8
  9. 9.Operations AnalysisImportance 3.8
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 3.6
  11. 11.MonitoringImportance 3.5
  12. 12.ProgrammingImportance 3.5

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • IBM AIX
  • 3M Post-it App
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe ActionScript
  • Adobe AIR
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Flex
  • Adobe FrameMaker
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Advanced business application programming ABAP
  • AJAX
  • Chef

Common tasks

  • Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.
  • Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
  • Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use.
  • Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.
  • Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.
  • Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware.
  • Identify system data, hardware, or software components required to meet user needs.
  • Perform ongoing hardware and software maintenance operations, including installing or upgrading hardware or software.
  • Verify stability, interoperability, portability, security, or scalability of system architecture.
  • Research, test, or verify proper functioning of software patches and fixes.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Computer Systems Engineers/Architects salary in other locations

Other occupations in San Francisco, CA