San Francisco / Bay Area, CA • 100% Geo-Band • 9.3% State/Regional Tax
AI Research Scientist & Foundation Model Engineer Salary in San Francisco
2026 local compensation bands, state tax drag ($67,658/yr at R5), and purchasing power benchmarks.
R5 Median Total Comp
$727,500
Cost of Living Index
100 / 100
Real Purchasing Power vs SF
100%
Median Home Price
$1,380,000
| Level | Title & Experience | 25th %ile Base | Median Base (P50) | 75th %ile Base | 90th %ile Base | Bonus / Equity | Median Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R3 | Research Engineer / Associate MTS 0 - 2 Years (Ph.D. / MS) |
$145,000 | $170,000 | $200,000 | $235,000 | 15% / $85,000 | $280,500 |
| R4 | Member of Technical Staff (MTS) / AI Scientist 2 - 5 Years |
$195,000 | $230,000 | $275,000 | $320,000 | 20% / $175,000 | $451,000 |
| R5 | Senior Research Scientist / Senior MTS 5 - 8 Years |
$260,000 | $310,000 | $380,000 | $450,000 | 25% / $340,000 | $727,500 |
| R6 | Staff / Principal Research Scientist 8 - 12+ Years |
$340,000 | $420,000 | $520,000 | $650,000 | 30% / $600,000 | $1,146,000 |
| R7 | Distinguished AI Scientist / VP of AI Research 12+ Years |
$450,000 | $550,000 | $700,000 | $900,000 | 35% / $1,100,000 | $1,842,500 |
San Francisco Compensation FAQs
How much does a AI Research Scientist & Foundation Model Engineer make in San Francisco in 2026?
Adjusted for San Francisco (100% market tier), median AI Research Scientist & Foundation Model Engineer total compensation spans from $280,500 at R3 to $1,842,500 at R7.
How do taxes and cost of living affect AI Research Scientist & Foundation Model Engineer pay in San Francisco?
San Francisco carries an estimated 9.3% state/regional income tax rate and a 100/100 cost-of-living index (median home $1,380,000), giving roughly 100% real purchasing power compared to San Francisco.