FinanceOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years
Staff / Lead Chief Financial Officer Salary in San Francisco
2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.
$740,408/yr
Typical range: $623,167 – $824,268
P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data
Chief Financial Officer salary by experience level in San Francisco
Chief Financial Officer Salary Progression in San Francisco
From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data
| Experience Level | Years | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | vs Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0 yrs | 0 yrs | $283,366 | $23,614 | — |
| Junior | 2 yrs | 2 yrs | $365,634 | $30,470 | +29% |
| Mid-Level | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | $426,573 | $35,548 | +51% |
| Senior | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | $513,715 | $42,810 | +81% |
| StaffThis page | 10 yrs | 10 yrs | $740,408 | $61,701 | +161% |
| Principal | 14 yrs | 14 yrs | $1,007,321 | $83,943 | +255% |
| Distinguished | 18 yrs | 18 yrs | $1,074,049 | $89,504 | +279% |
Current Salary
$740,408
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $356/hr
Next Level Target
$1,007,321
Principal · 14
+$267Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
40/100
Below Average
+5% demand · Low AI risk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the staff / lead Chief Financial Officer salary in San Francisco, CA?
Staff / Lead Chief Financial Officers in San Francisco, CA earn approximately $740K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.
How much does a staff / lead Chief Financial Officer make per hour in San Francisco, CA?
Based on $740K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $356/hr (2,080-hour work year).
How do I get from staff / lead to senior Chief Financial Officer in San Francisco, CA?
The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Chief Financial Officer in San Francisco, CA earns $623K–$824K/yr.