What the data says about accountant pay in San Francisco
After a simplified 14% national tax estimate that is about US$7,900 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
San Francisco vs the national and CA picture
On a United States league table of 21 metros, San Francisco comes 2nd. One place higher is San Jose at US$121,700, one lower is New York at US$105,650, and San Jose tops the list.
CA has 4 metros with observed figures for this role. Their average is US$105,800, and San Francisco comes 2nd, +5% against it; elsewhere in the state: Los Angeles (US$94,360), San Diego (US$96,340) and San Jose (US$121,700).
What the San Francisco median is worth after tax and rent
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$110,700).
Cash rank and buying-power rank match for San Francisco: 2nd of 21.
Take-home on the median comes to roughly US$7,900 monthly (14% effective tax in our simplified model). Rent for a modeled 1-bedroom is 21% of it, and the single-adult budget ends about US$4,430 in the black.
San Francisco vs nearby CA metros
Los Angeles (also in CA) pays US$94,360, 15% less than San Francisco; modeled monthly leftover is US$1,060 lower.
San Diego (also in CA) pays US$96,340, 13% less than San Francisco; modeled monthly leftover is US$930 lower.
A accountant moving from San Francisco to New York (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 5% to US$105,650, with US$330 less left over monthly in our model.
Other San Francisco jobs compared with accountant
Lawyer is the best-paid tracked role in San Francisco at US$212,500; accountant comes 9th of 9.
Closest neighbours in the San Francisco list: Financial Analyst at US$130,520 (+18%).
How San Francisco ranks at the low and high end
Entry and senior pay rank the same in San Francisco: 2nd of 21 at both the 10th and the 90th percentile.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$196,890 at the 90th percentile, +9% against San Francisco.
Spread between low and high accountant pay in San Francisco
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$73,420 and the 90th US$180,060, a 2.5× ratio.