Working in San Francisco: Top Reasons to Live in the Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area is known as a technology and innovation hub in America, and with good reason. It’s home to tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple, as well as leading biotechnology, life sciences, professional services, and startup companies that are making a lasting impact across the globe.

The presence of these organizations and industries have led to a substantial increase in both popularity and population size in the Bay Area over the last ten years, resulting in a unique living, working, and learning environment for the millions of people that call the Bay Area home.

Read on to learn what life is like in the bustling Bay Area, and how you too can find success there when you pursue an advanced degree from a regional institution. 

Highlights of living, learning, and working in San Francisco

• Diverse economy: The San Francisco Bay Area continues to stand out as a premier hub for technology and innovation in America. It is home to renowned tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Salesforce, as well as leading companies in biotechnology, life sciences, and startup culture.
• Educational opportunities: Institutions like Northeastern University are ideally located in the Bay Area to prepare professionals to thrive in this competitive landscape. Northeastern’s industry-aligned graduate programs are specifically designed to boost career trajectories, equipping students with essential skills to excel in the region’s top industries.
• Cost of living: Despite the high cost of living associated with thriving tech hubs, the Bay Area offers a unique blend of economic opportunities and cultural benefits that balance the scales.
• Hands-on learning: At Northeastern, we emphasize experiential learning through co-ops and internships that integrate practical skills with academic knowledge. This hands-on approach is crucial for succeeding in the competitive job market of the Bay Area.
• Competitive job market: The job market in the Bay Area is vibrant and expanding, but competition is fierce. Advanced education and strategic networking are vital for career advancement, making the Bay Area a rewarding place for ambitious professionals.

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area is made up of nine counties, including Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, Marin, San Mateo, and San Francisco. Despite a slight decrease in population, this region continues to be a leader in California’s growth, consistently attracting diverse and skilled individuals to its innovative environment.

While each county contributes to this overall expansion, much of the area’s population growth is due to the popularity of two highly regarded regions within the Bay Area: Silicon Valley and the city of San Francisco.

Silicon Valley is made up of 41 cities that span five of the nine counties in the Bay Area. As of today, 2.9 million people live in this region. San Francisco, on the other hand, has a metro population of over 3.3 million. As of 2024, San Francisco remains a key player among America’s most populous cities, although it no longer holds the position as the second-fastest growing city, with a density outranked by only New York City.

Despite its growing size, San Francisco is still considered within the top 20 best places to live in the United States, thanks to the consistently beautiful weather, the unique combination of city, suburb, and natural environments, and the dozens of exciting opportunities for those hoping to kick-start their professional careers.

Cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area

As expected, the availability of high-paying careers in the Bay Area—alongside a recent housing crunch—has resulted in a high cost of living for residents. Taking into account housing, food, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities, the Economy Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator estimates that it costs roughly $74,831 annually per person to live in the San Francisco metro area. This is 71% higher than the national average cost of living in America.

One of the largest contributing factors to this steep cost of living is the high-priced housing market. The median home value in San Francisco is 1.2 million, and the median rent is $3,371 per month as of 2024, compared to a national average of $362,481.

The high levels of education and subsequent high-paying jobs of residents also contribute to this high cost of living. The average individual in San Francisco, for example, makes $95,265 per year—a full $24,605 more than the average cost of living. Similarly, an average individual in Silicon Valley makes $101,276 per year, leaving them with over $75,000 after daily living expenses.

Regional culture in the San Francisco Bay Area

Wonderful weather and easy access to a variety of beautiful beaches, wineries, ski resorts, mountain ranges, and more have made the Bay Area a prime destination for tourists, with over 25 million visiting the region in 2018 alone.

For the millions that call the Bay Area home year-round, however, there is a lot more to love about their location. Alongside being known for its bohemian reputation and as a “mecca” of the LGBTQ rights movement, San Francisco has ranked among the best cities in the country for a variety of interesting factors. It was voted the second-best city in the country for a good night’s sleep, one of the best cities for singles, and the happiest city in America. The Bay Area also boasts a nationally acclaimed culinary scene, with San Francisco ranking as one of the top 20 foodie capitals worldwide.

The nature surrounding the Bay Area is also a draw for those living in the region. There are dozens of well-known nature walks and hikes in the surrounding wilderness, which residents enjoy year-round thanks to temperatures that remain in the 60s and 70s no matter the season. Those living in the Bay Area are as committed to protecting their environment as they are to enjoying it; there are legally required commuter benefits for residents in this region, as well as efforts in the works to reduce waste generation by 15% and landfill disposal by 50% by 2030.

San Francisco offers a unique array of residential neighborhoods that each have their own personality. This diverse layout has allowed millennials, retirees, families, and active professionals alike to find somewhere they belong within the city. 

Working in the San Francisco Bay Area

As the worldwide hub of technology and innovation, the Bay Area has attracted high-level professionals from around the globe, increasing both the number of roles and the overall need for highly skilled employees across all industries.

San Francisco and Silicon Valley have each gained their own reputations within various industries. Silicon Valley, for instance—which is home to top companies like Apple, Lyft, Slack, Oracle, Uber, and Eventbrite—is considered the number one tech hub in America and is home to over 7,488 startup companies. This region added over 107,100 jobs during the first six months of 2024, has an unemployment rate of 3.9%, and boasts an average salary of $164,075 per year.

San Francisco is seeing equally promising career outlooks. It benefitted from an additional 667,000 job openings in 2024, compared to 721,000 openings in May of this year. The average salary in San Francisco is also at an all-time high of $114,000 per year—where there are ample opportunities to obtain a high-paying job due to it being one of the highest-paying cities.

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5 top industries in the San Francisco Bay Area

1. Technology

The Bay Area is known worldwide for its technology presence. Ranked the number one city for local tech jobs in America, it experienced a 23% increase in technology roles from 2017 and 2022, bringing the total number of local technology jobs to 75,020. This substantial increase has brought with it a significant influx of tech talent to the Bay Area.

The migration of skilled technologists to this area has earned the region the title of top tech center in America in both the total number of technology jobs and the percentage of local jobs. As a result, the physical space the technology industry takes up in the Bay Area continues to increase over time, as well.

2. Biotechnology and life sciences 

Biotechnology and life sciences, although perhaps less commonly associated with the Bay Area, are actually quite substantial across both San Francisco and Silicon Valley. There are currently over 2,347 different organizations specializing in biotechnology, and this is expected to continue to increase as more industry leaders flock to this region. One of the largest draws of specialists in both of these sectors is the possible convergence with the prominent technology industry. These opportunities have resulted in such a high influx of global talent, that the Bay Area now accounts for 40% of professionals in the biotechnology field worldwide.

Life sciences in the Bay Area account for a significant portion of the region’s employment, despite dwindling trends in other parts of the U.S. The number of professionals in the Bay Area increased by 6%, for example, while sectors in New Jersey and Pennsylvania decreased by 20 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

3. Professional and business services

The professional and business services sector in the Bay Area is responsible for much of the regional employment. In fact, 20.4% of workers in this region hold a job in this sector, ranging from roles in administration, legal services, scientific research, and computer systems and design. This has resulted in a total of 761,621 jobs as of 2022 —compared to 389,316 jobs since 1990.

4. Manufacturing

Manufacturing is another, perhaps unexpected, top player in the Bay Area’s overall economy. It accounts for 359,668 jobs. What’s more, the region has the highest number of manufacturing jobs among major metro areas. This is due, in part, to the increase in the manufacturing of specialty products in the area, including those that stem from the many technology, biotechnology, and startup organizations in the region.

5. Education/Healthcare

Although unrelated in day-to-day work, these two people-centric industries in the Bay Area are often thought of as a single area of employment—and a significant one at that. As of today, there were a total of 829,688 jobs in this joint sector—an increase of 107% since the 1990s. Jobs in these industries include roles in teaching, education administration, nursing, medicine, and more, and account for 22% of all the available roles in the Bay Area. This is the third-highest percentage, following Philadelphia and New York.

5 top brands and companies in the San Francisco Bay Area

1. Google

Google is a world-renowned technology company known for its search engine platform and Google Workspace services, including Gmail and Google Drive. Although this organization employs over 85,000 worldwide, its headquarters are located in Silicon Valley, making Google one of the top employers in the Bay Area. Currently, there are over 20,000 professionals working at Google’s local 12-acre campus, and this number is expected to continue to grow exponentially over the next few years—so much so that Google is working on adding a new campus on an 18-acre lot nearby. Both locations are famously employee-oriented, offering G-bikes for quick travel, on-site gyms, doctors, dry cleaning facilities, outdoor recreation and relaxation spaces, and much more. The expansion of the company will likely not be limited to the Bay Area, however. Google’s valuation increased almost 100% over the last five years, speaking to its overall success in the technology sector. 

2. Deloitte

Deloitte, a global leader in professional services, maintains a significant presence in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering audit, consulting, tax, and advisory services. With a substantial workforce in the region, Deloitte is renowned for its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The firm has consistently been recognized for its workplace culture, including receiving awards for its diversity initiatives. As a major employer in the Bay Area, Deloitte plays a pivotal role in shaping the professional landscape, drawing top talent to its innovative and dynamic environment.

Learn more: Top Tech Companies to Work for in the San Francisco Bay Area

3. Facebook

Facebook is a leading social media platform and technology company that continues to grow worldwide year over year. The company reported a total of 1.59 billion daily users and more than 2.7 billion users of their suite of products, which includes WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and Facebook. This is in line with Facebook’s overall growth pattern, which shows an increase of 34 to 50% each year since 2010. The company also employs a total of 67,317 professionals full time, making them a top player in the technology industry in the Bay Area and beyond.

4. Amazon

Amazon, a leading global e-commerce and cloud computing giant, has a significant presence in the Bay Area, contributing to the region’s reputation as a tech hub. Despite intense competition in both retail and technology sectors, Amazon remains a dominant force with millions of customers worldwide. The company employs tens of thousands of people globally, with a significant number in the Bay Area, emphasizing a culture of innovation and diversity. Amazon consistently receives accolades for its technology advancements and workplace environment, often ranking as a top choice among tech professionals seeking impactful and dynamic careers.

5. Salesforce

Salesforce is another top technology company that calls the Bay Area home. Through its customer relationship management tool, Salesforce aims to bring together companies and customers by providing an integrated view of every department within an organization, ranging from marketing to sales to commerce. Although this organization is based in San Francisco, it employs 10,000 professionals across America and 72,682 worldwide. It is also known for offering great employee incentives, recognized on the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies To Work For” list for the 14th year in a row. The company is also always looking to add talent to its roster of employees, which has led to the creation of the Futureforce University Recruiting Program. This program provides opportunities for undergraduate students, recent graduates, and those pursuing an advanced degree in a field Salesforce considers a priority—such as data science, research, corporate development, and product marketing—to get involved with their organization.

5 top roles in San Francisco Bay Area

1. Software engineer/senior software engineer

Responsibilities: Software engineers work with software designers and developers on the creation of programs, focusing most prominently on functionality. Senior software engineers might work on more complex programs or oversee the work of the entry- and mid-level engineers on their team.

Training and education: A background in computer science, web development, or engineering is required for success in the software engineering field. Those hoping to earn a senior-level role should also consider a Master of Science in Computer Science degree.

Bay Area-specific salaries: Software engineers in San Francisco earn an average of $166,831 per year, a salary significantly higher than the national average of $93,903 per year. Similarly, senior software engineers in San Francisco earn an average of $190,690 per year compared to the annual $127,864 earned nationally.

2. Data scientist 

Responsibilities: Data scientists design data processes that are used to help extract information businesses need to make decisions and analyze trends. This is accomplished through the design of data modeling processes, the creation of algorithms, and predictive models.

Training and education: Those hoping to have a successful career in data should consider earning a Master of Professional Studies in Analytics.

Bay Area-specific salaries: Data scientists in San Francisco earn an average of $163,366 per year, making it the second-highest paying city for this role. Nationally, data scientists make anywhere between $100,651 per year.

3. Product manager (software)

Responsibilities: Product management is a branch of project management. In the case of software product management, professionals oversee the development of a specific piece of software, including the facilitation of communication between relevant teams, the tracking of timelines and budget, and the review of the final product with the customer.

Training and education: Those interested in a career in product management for software might consider either a master’s in computer science or a master’s in project management program like Northeastern’s, which offers relevant, technology-based concentration options. 

Bay Area-specific salaries: The average national salary for software product managers is $107,365 per year, but individuals in this field working in the Bay Area can earn up to $160,261 annually.

Learn more: 18 of the Highest-Paying Jobs in the San Francisco Bay Area

4. Project manager

Responsibilities: Project managers oversee the scope of a project through initiation, planning, execution, and closing phases. This includes handling the project’s budget, managing deliverables, communicating with stakeholders, and overseeing the project’s timeline.

Training and education: Those pursuing a project management career should consider a Master of Science in Project Management degree. 

Bay Area-specific salaries: Nationally, project managers make an average of $80,182 per year, whereas individuals who hold these roles in San Francisco earn an average of $123,892 annually.  

5. Marketing manager

Responsibilities: Marketing managers are in charge of supervising the creation of various campaigns used to help an organization sell its products or services to consumers. They often must juggle input from creative, research, advertising, and sales teams to make the most impactful marketing decisions.  

Training and education: As a mid- to senior-level role, those hoping to excel as a marketing manager should consider either a master’s degree in marketing or an MBA with a Marketing Concentration.

Bay Area-specific salaries: Marketing managers across America make an average of $73,197 per year, a full $34,261 less annually than the $107,458 per year earned by those in this field working in the San Francisco area.

Competitive job market

Being the technology and innovation hub in America comes with a lot of benefits, including access to top companies, a consistently growing number of job opportunities, and an influx of talent to the region. However, local and transplant Bay Area residents can have a difficult time breaking into these fields because organizations have access to well-educated, top professionals from across the globe.

For this reason, individuals hoping to land a role in this competitive job market need to be strategic in their approach. Within the city they hope to work in, they should aim to expand their skill sets, acquire hands-on experience in their chosen field, and develop a network that can help open doors for them. Luckily, all of these strategic moves can be accomplished through the pursuit of an advanced degree at a region-specific institution.

Studying in the San Francisco Bay Area

The general population in the Bay Area is incredibly well educated; of adults in the region, 49% hold a degree beyond a bachelor’s. For this reason, those trying to break into local top industries should consider an advanced degree in order to be competitive.

A closer look: Graduate degrees are even more common within specific regions and industries in the Bay Area. For example, 22% of professionals have earned either a graduate or professional degree in Silicon Valley, and 70% of biotechnology and life sciences professionals across the Bay Area hold doctorates.

Those hoping to land a coveted role in the Bay Area should consider the strategic benefits of obtaining a degree from not just any university, but one with a local presence within the region they want to work. Institutions like Northeastern University design their programs to provide what students will need to succeed in the Bay Area specifically. For example, Northeastern’s Silicon Valley campus offers master’s programs in computer science, data science, information systems, project management, analytics, business, and more to best align with the technology and professional services organizations in that area.

Alongside this tailored education, graduates of region-specific, advanced degree programs like those at Northeastern will also gain unparalleled access to local organizations and industry leaders both in the classroom and through experiential learning opportunities. Below, we explore how each of these factors can have a positive impact on your career outlook in the Bay Area.

Work alongside and learn from industry leaders

Region-specific institutions like Northeastern recognize the impact that exposure to the local workforce can have on their students. For that reason, Northeastern places a great emphasis on both bringing industry leaders into the classroom to teach and sending students out into top local workplaces to learn. Both of these scenarios provide the rare opportunity to dive into real-world situations and learn the tools and practices that are relevant within each industry from local experts.

Did you know: Google, Facebook, Apple, and other top Bay Area companies are already part of Northeastern’s expansive network of co-op partners.

The hands-on learning component of advanced education at Northeastern provides a level of insight into local organizations that cannot be obtained within the classroom alone. Internship, work-study, and co-op opportunities ensure that students learn the ins and outs of their field firsthand while also gaining an inside understanding of what organizations in that region value. You can then take any steps necessary to fill in the gaps in your knowledge and skill sets so you will be better prepared to apply for these roles after graduation.

Grow your network

Northeastern’s experiential learning component provides a strategic opportunity to begin developing a regional network while still in school. As 85% of all jobs are filled through networking, having the chance to meet and work alongside industry professionals within the Bay Area as a student will set you up with a plethora of potentially helpful connections when it comes time to apply to roles.

Learn more: 7 Networking Tips for Graduate Students

It’s important to cultivate positive relationships with professors, classmates, and industry leaders during graduate school, as you never know who might be able to open a door for you. Whether that door comes in the form of an introduction at a company you’re applying to, an invitation to an industry event, or even a recommendation to a program or company, having someone who knows your abilities and can vouch for you in a professional setting will go a long way in helping you stand apart in a competitive job market like the Bay Area’s.

Expand your skills set

Graduate school provides the perfect opportunity to expand upon the skills you acquired during undergraduate studies or while working. The curriculum is designed to give you an in-depth understanding of your area of study and the opportunity to declare a concentration (in many cases) that lets you focus on a specific sector. 

For example: The master’s of project management program at Northeastern provides students the chance to learn about different project management methodologies, tools, and practices, before then choosing an industry-specific concentration to specialize in. These concentrations range from construction management to information security systems to business analysis, and each allow students to tailor their studies to the exact area of work they intend to pursue post-graduation.

Taking the time to hone your skills and abilities during graduate school will go a long way in setting you apart when it comes time to apply for jobs in this region. Especially considering the Bay Area attracts professionals at the top of their fields, pursuing a graduate degree will ensure you have the same high-level abilities your competition does when applying for roles.

Consider Northeastern University in the Bay Area

Those looking to land a top role within the competitive Bay Area job market should consider a graduate degree from a region-specific institution like Northeastern. With locations in both Oakland and Silicon Valley, you will be able to tailor your education to best align with your desired work location and industry while simultaneously acquiring the hands-on learning experience, network, and skill sets needed to stand out among other candidates vying for these top roles. Investing in yourself and your future in this way can strategically set you up for success and help establish an exciting future in the thriving Bay Area community.