San Francisco is the global center of the modern data stack with 5,800 FY2024 data engineer H1B filings and a median wage of $192,000 -- 60% above national. Databricks and Snowflake -- the two companies that define modern data engineering -- are both headquartered in SF, creating a unique market where data engineers build the tools that millions of other data engineers use.
| Role | Median |
|---|---|
| Data Engineer L3 | $162,000 |
| Senior Data Eng L4 | $202,000 |
| Staff Data Eng L5 | $245,000 |
| Data Architect | $228,000 |
| Principal Data Eng | $278,000 |
Source: DOL LCA disclosures, FY2024.
| Employer | Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Databricks | $228,000 |
| Snowflake | $218,000 |
| Airbnb Data Platform | $215,000 |
| Stripe Data Eng | $222,000 |
| Lyft Data Platform | $205,000 |
| Doordash Data Eng | $208,000 |