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.
$417,589/yr
Typical range: $354,822 – $436,303
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 | $191,865 | $15,989 | — |
| Junior | 2 yrs | 2 yrs | $237,010 | $19,751 | +24% |
| Mid-Level | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | $267,107 | $22,259 | +39% |
| Senior | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | $309,242 | $25,770 | +61% |
| StaffThis page | 10 yrs | 10 yrs | $417,589 | $34,799 | +118% |
| Principal | 14 yrs | 14 yrs | $523,680 | $43,640 | +173% |
| Distinguished | 18 yrs | 18 yrs | $550,202 | $45,850 | +187% |
Current Salary
$417,589
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $201/hr
Next Level Target
$523,680
Principal · 14
+$106Kpotential 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 $418K 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 $418K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $201/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 $355K–$436K/yr.