Retail · San Francisco, CA

Cashier Salary in San Francisco, CA (2026)

Median Cashier salary in San Francisco is approximately $42,100/year — 45.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — San Francisco

$42,100
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$20
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,619
Monthly
$3,508
Annual (gross)
$42,100
vs California state average
State avg: $34,200
+$7,900
vs US national
National median: $29,000
+$13,100

After-tax estimate

$30,880
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$42,100
Federal tax (~14%)
−$5,894
FICA (7.65%)
−$3,221
California state tax
~5% effective
−$2,105
Estimated take-home
$30,880
Monthly take-home
$2,573
For exact take-home, use our San Francisco Paycheck Calculator.
Cashier salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs San Francisco
Oakland, CA1.35×$39,200-$2,900
New York City, NY1.32×$38,300-$3,800
Honolulu, HI1.30×$37,700-$4,400
Irvine, CA1.30×$37,700-$4,400
Los Angeles, CA1.22×$35,400-$6,700
Other Retail jobs in San Francisco

Cashier salaries in San Francisco, CA

The estimated median Cashier salary in San Francisco, California is $42,100/year, working out to approximately $20/hour at full-time, $1,619 per biweekly paycheck, or $3,508/month before taxes. San Francisco's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.45× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the California state average for this role ($34,200), San Francisco pays about $7,900 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in San Francisco

Of the gross $42,100, you take home roughly $30,880 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • California state income tax (~5% effective)
  • San Francisco has no local income tax

That works out to about $2,573/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our San Francisco Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in San Francisco pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in San Francisco typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many San Francisco employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Cashier Salary in California — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. San Francisco Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Cashier salary in San Francisco?
The estimated median Cashier salary in San Francisco, California is $42,100 per year, or approximately $20/hour at standard full-time. San Francisco sits 45.0% above the US national average for this role.
San Francisco vs California state — what's the salary difference?
San Francisco: $42,100. California state average for Cashier: $34,200. Difference: +$7,900 (23.1%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does San Francisco have a city income tax?
No, San Francisco has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and California state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects San Francisco's cost of living relative to the US average. San Francisco's multiplier is 1.45× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Cashier in San Francisco?
Estimate: $30,880/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), California state tax (~5.0% effective), and San Francisco local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the San Francisco Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.