Marketing Specialist salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$123,250/year
about $59.25 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $82,510 – $170,560
Half of marketing specialists in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $123,250 a year and half earn less. That's 56% higher than the national median of $78,760, and ranks #2 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $60,680 | $29.17 |
| 25th | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Median (50th) | $123,250 | $59.25 |
| 75th | $170,560 | $82.00 |
| 90th (top earners) | $211,140 | $101.51 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a marketing specialist job in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $82,510 ($39.67/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $82,510 to $170,560 ($39.67 to $82.00/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $170,560 ($82.00/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- This BLS category also includes market research analysts, so the range is wide. Compare with the lower half for coordinator-style roles.
- Watch for "marketing" roles that are really commission-only sales.
- A role covering social media, design, ads and content alone is several jobs in one. Price your ask accordingly.
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: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists (SOC 13-1161). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.