2026 Salary Data ยท San Francisco, CA

Product Designer Salary in San Francisco

How much does a Product Designer make in San Francisco? Salary data, top employers, and career insights for Product Designers in the San Francisco Bay Area area.

$196K
Median Total Comp
+20%
vs National Avg
very-high
Cost of Living
3,200+
Product Roles

How Much Does a Product Designer Make in San Francisco?

The median total compensation for a Product Designer in San Francisco is $196K, which is 20% above the national average. San Francisco is one of the highest-cost markets, but Product Designer salaries here reflect the concentration of AI / Machine Learning and Fintech companies competing for talent. The 25th to 75th percentile range spans $163K to $242K.

San Francisco's cost-of-living index is 180 (vs 100 national average), meaning everyday expenses are 80% above average. A $196K salary here has the purchasing power of roughly $109K in an average-cost city. Housing is the largest factor: median rent for a one-bedroom is significantly above the national average.

$143K$264K
P25-P75 Median

AI Specialization Premium in San Francisco

Standard Product Designer
$196K
$163K - $242K
AI-Specialized Product Designer
$220K
$183K - $271K

Product Designers with AI/ML experience earn a 12% premium in San Francisco. San Francisco has a strong AI ecosystem, increasing demand for AI-skilled product talent.

Product Designer Salary by Company Type in San Francisco

FAANG / Big Tech
$255K
+30%
Pre-IPO Unicorn
$225K
+15%
Growth Startup (B/C)
$196K
Baseline
Enterprise / Fortune 500
$206K
+5%
Early Startup (Seed/A)
$167K
-15%
Agency / Consulting
$157K
-20%

Top Employers for Product Designers in San Francisco

GoogleMetaSalesforceStripeAirbnbOpenAIAnthropicDatabricks

The Bay Area remains the global center of gravity for product management. It has the highest concentration of PM roles, the most competitive salaries, and the deepest bench of AI and startup talent. Cost of living is among the highest in the US, but salaries reflect that premium.

AI / Machine LearningFintechB2B SaaS (General)

Other Product Roles in San Francisco

Product Designer Salary in Other Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Product Designer make in San Francisco?+
The median total compensation for a Product Designer in San Francisco is $196K, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $163K to $242K. This is 20% above the national average of $163K.
What companies hire Product Designers in San Francisco?+
Top employers for Product Designers in San Francisco include Google, Meta, Salesforce, Stripe, Airbnb. The Bay Area remains the global center of gravity for product management.
Is San Francisco a good city for Product Designers?+
San Francisco has a very-strong product job market with approximately 3,200+ open product roles. The cost of living is very-high. Strong industries include AI / Machine Learning, Fintech, B2B SaaS (General).
How does Product Designer salary in San Francisco compare to other cities?+
San Francisco pays 20% above the national average for Product Designers. For comparison, San Francisco pays +20%, New York pays +12%, and Austin is the baseline. Similar markets include San Jose, Seattle, New York City, Austin.
Do Product Designers in San Francisco earn more with AI experience?+
Yes. The AI specialization premium for Product Designers in San Francisco is 12%, bringing the median from $196K to $220K. San Francisco has a strong AI ecosystem, which increases demand for AI-skilled PMs.