SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 11-3121 · California · Updated 2026

HR Manager Salary in San Francisco, CA

HR Managers in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $126,000/year, ranging from $97,020 (25th percentile) to $201,600 (90th percentile). After California state taxes (9.3%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 186), this is equivalent to $67,742 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$126,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$97,020
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$161,280
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$201,600
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in San Francisco, CA

P25
P75
P25
$97,020
Median
$126,000
P75
$161,280
P90
$201,600

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$126,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$105,597
After 9.3% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$56,773
vs US average (COL index: 186)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does San Francisco, CA Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
San Francisco, CA (current)$126,000186$67,742
Los Angeles, CA$108,000173$62,428
San Diego, CA$104,000152$68,421
New York, NY$121,000187$64,706
Seattle, WA$122,000162$75,309
Boston, MA$112,000162$69,136

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average HR Manager salary in San Francisco, CA?

The median HR Manager salary in San Francisco, CA is $126,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $97,020 and the 90th percentile is $201,600.

Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a HR Manager?

San Francisco, CA has a cost of living index of 186 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $126,000 HR Manager salary in San Francisco, CA is equivalent to $67,742 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for San Francisco, CA?

San Francisco, CA has a cost of living index of 186, meaning it is 86% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in California is approximately 9.3%.

What is the HR Manager salary range in San Francisco, CA?

In San Francisco, CA, HR Managers earn between $97,020 (25th percentile) and $201,600 (90th percentile), with a median of $126,000 per year.

How many HR Manager jobs are there in San Francisco, CA?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 41,600 HR Manager positions in the San Francisco, CA metropolitan area.

What do HR Managers earn in San Francisco, CA?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, HR Managers in San Francisco, CA earn a median annual wage of $126,000. The middle 50% earn between $97,020 and $161,280. The top 10% earn more than $201,600. There are approximately 41,600 HR Managers employed in the San Francisco, CA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 4.3%.

Is San Francisco, CA a good place for a HR Manager?

San Francisco, CA has a cost of living index of 186 (US average = 100), making it 86% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a HR Manager in San Francisco, CA earning $126,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $67,742 relative to the US median. California has a state income tax rate of approximately 9.3%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for San Francisco, CA?

San Francisco, CA's cost of living index is 186, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $126,000 in San Francisco, CAhas the same purchasing power as $67,742 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare San Francisco, CA with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.