TechnologyOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years
Staff / Lead MLOps Engineer Salary in San Francisco
2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.
$213,888/yr
Typical range: $181,739 – $223,473
P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data
MLOps Engineer salary by experience level in San Francisco
MLOps Engineer 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 | $98,273 | $8,189 | — |
| Junior | 2 yrs | 2 yrs | $121,396 | $10,116 | +24% |
| Mid-Level | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | $136,811 | $11,401 | +39% |
| Senior | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | $158,393 | $13,199 | +61% |
| StaffThis page | 10 yrs | 10 yrs | $213,888 | $17,824 | +118% |
| Principal | 14 yrs | 14 yrs | $268,227 | $22,352 | +173% |
| Distinguished | 18 yrs | 18 yrs | $281,812 | $23,484 | +187% |
Current Salary
$213,888
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $103/hr
Next Level Target
$268,227
Principal · 14
+$54Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
100/100
Exceptional
+52% demand · Low AI risk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the staff / lead MLOps Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA?
Staff / Lead MLOps Engineers in San Francisco, CA earn approximately $214K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.
How much does a staff / lead MLOps Engineer make per hour in San Francisco, CA?
Based on $214K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $103/hr (2,080-hour work year).
How do I get from staff / lead to senior MLOps Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior MLOps Engineer in San Francisco, CA earns $182K–$223K/yr.