Receptionist salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$49,450/year
about $23.77 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $43,440 – $60,170
Half of receptionists in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $49,450 a year and half earn less. That's 30% higher than the national median of $38,010, and ranks #1 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| 25th | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| Median (50th) | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| 75th | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| 90th (top earners) | $76,070 | $36.57 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a receptionist job in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $43,440 ($20.88/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $43,440 to $60,170 ($20.88 to $28.93/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $60,170 ($28.93/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Medical and legal offices often pay receptionists more than general offices.
- Ask whether the role is hourly and how overtime and lunch breaks are handled.
- If the duties include billing, scheduling and office management, it's more than a receptionist job. Ask for pay to match.
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: Receptionists and Information Clerks (SOC 43-4171). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.