Software Engineer job market in San Francisco, CA (2026)
The Software Engineer job market in San Francisco, CA is moderately active, with 207 open positions across 15+ employers. Hiring momentum is strong, with 139 new listings in the past month and 69 in the last week alone.
What can you expect to earn?
The median salary for Software Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA is $185,000, with most positions paying between $163,000 and $211,000. Top performers can earn $282,700 or more at the 90th percentile. Note that 46% of listings in this market don't disclose salary, so actual compensation varies — especially for negotiable roles. For higher compensation, consider dubai where the median is AED 250,000.
Skills that employers want
Analysis of job descriptions in San Francisco, CA shows the most requested skills are Machine Learning, Python, Warehouse, AWS, Spark, and Java. Including these keywords in your resume can significantly improve your ATS match rate. Our Software Engineer resume example shows how to integrate these naturally.
Who's hiring?
The most active employers for Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA include Sierra, gusto, Chime, Anthropic, and OpenAI. Use JobsChat AI to filter by specific companies or discover employers that match your preferences.
Remote & flexible work
5% of Software Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA offer remote or hybrid work (10 positions). This role is predominantly on-site, though some employers are beginning to offer hybrid options.
Ready to apply?
Start with our Software Engineer resume example. Pair it with a tailored cover letter. Then use JobsChat AI to search all 207 positions and generate application materials in minutes. Browse Software Engineer jobs in other cities or explore all jobs in San Francisco, CA.