Accountant salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$110,730/year
about $53.24 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $88,820 – $143,590
Half of accountants in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $110,730 a year and half earn less. That's 32% higher than the national median of $83,680, and ranks #2 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $73,420 | $35.30 |
| 25th | $88,820 | $42.70 |
| Median (50th) | $110,730 | $53.24 |
| 75th | $143,590 | $69.03 |
| 90th (top earners) | $180,060 | $86.57 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a accountant job in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $88,820 ($42.70/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $88,820 to $143,590 ($42.70 to $69.03/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $143,590 ($69.03/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- A CPA license usually raises pay noticeably, and some employers support the exam with time off or fees.
- Busy season can mean long hours from January to April. Ask how overtime is handled for salaried roles.
- Public accounting and corporate (industry) roles often pay differently for similar titles.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). Occupation: Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.