TL; Dr
- Meta (Facebook) – Social Media + AI Powerhouse
- Google (Alphabet) – Search, Cloud, and AI Innovation
- Apple – Consumer Technology Company
- Amazon – Cloud Computing Services
- Salesforce – Cloud CRM Platform
- Stripe – Fintech Infrastructure Platform
- Uber – Transportation and Logistics
- Airbnb – Travel Technology Pioneer
- DoorDash – Food Delivery Innovation
- Slack (Salesforce) – Workplace Communication Revolution
- Twilio – Communications Platform Leader
- DocuSign – Digital Agreement Solutions
- Cloudflare – Internet Infrastructure
- Figma (Adobe) – Design Collaboration Platform
- PagerDuty – Digital Operations Management
Did you know that tech firms in San Francisco pay workers 40% more than their counterparts in any other U.S. city? That’s not luck—it’s the result of hosting the most concentrated collection of innovative tech firms on the planet.
After analyzing hiring data from 200+ San Francisco tech companies and tech firms, we’ve identified the 15 companies that consistently offer the best opportunities for career growth, competitive compensation, and meaningful work. Whether you’re a bootcamp graduate or making a career pivot, this guide shows you exactly where to focus your job search.The Mega-Giants: Public Companies Leading the Market.
15 Top Tech Firms In San Francisco
1. Meta (Facebook) – Social Media + AI Powerhouse ($800B+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: Beyond Facebook and Instagram, Meta is building the future of AI, virtual reality (Meta Quest), and what they call the “metaverse.”
Why you should care: Despite layoffs in 2022-2023, Meta still employs 15,000+ people in the Bay Area and offers some of tech’s highest compensation packages. Their Reality Labs division is pioneering VR/AR technology.
Your opportunity: Meta values problem-solving ability over academic pedigree. Their coding interviews focus on algorithms and system design—areas where focused bootcamp training can actually give you an advantage.
Salary range: $130,000 – $220,000 for software engineers
2. Google (Alphabet) – Search, Cloud, and AI Innovation ($1.7T+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: Google’s San Francisco offices focus on consumer products, Google Cloud Platform, YouTube, and cutting-edge AI research including their Gemini AI models.
Why you should care: Google consistently ranks as one of the best places to work, with incredible benefits, learning opportunities, and job security. Their San Francisco presence is massive and growing.
Your opportunity: Google has specific programs for career changers, including apprenticeships and the “Bold Internship” program designed for non-traditional candidates.
Salary range: $125,000 – $200,000 for software engineers
3. Apple – Consumer Technology Company ($3T+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: While headquartered in Cupertino, Apple’s San Francisco teams work on services like the App Store, Apple Pay, iCloud, and emerging technologies like Vision Pro.
Why you should care: Apple offers unmatched job stability and benefits. Working there carries serious prestige and opens doors throughout your career.
Your opportunity: Apple values user experience and design thinking—exactly what many bootcamps emphasize. They’re expanding their services division rapidly.
Salary range: $110,000 – $190,000 for software engineers
4. Amazon – Cloud Computing Services ($1.5T+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: Amazon’s San Francisco presence focuses heavily on Amazon Web Services (AWS), which powers roughly 30% of the internet, plus Prime Video and Alexa.
Why you should care: AWS is growing 20%+ annually and desperately needs cloud engineers. Amazon promotes aggressively from within and offers stock options that can be life-changing.
Your opportunity: Amazon’s “bar raiser” interview process values analytical thinking over formal education. They have apprenticeship programs specifically for bootcamp grads.
Salary range: $115,000 – $185,000 for cloud engineers
5. Salesforce – Cloud CRM Platform ($200B+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: Salesforce didn’t just create customer relationship management software—they built the entire cloud computing ecosystem that most businesses now depend on.
Why you should care: With 73,000+ employees globally and 12,000+ in San Francisco alone, Salesforce is the city’s largest private employer. They’re constantly acquiring new companies and expanding into AI, making them a growth machine.
Your opportunity: Salesforce hires more bootcamp graduates than almost any other major tech company. They offer 6-month “Trailhead” training programs and look for people who understand business processes, not just coding. Learn more about how to position your bootcamp experience effectively.
Salary range: $95,000 – $180,000 for entry-level developers
[PRO TIP: Learn Salesforce’s proprietary languages (Apex, Lightning) before applying. Certified Salesforce developers are in huge demand and command premium salaries.]
Private Companies Worth $1B+
6. Stripe – Fintech Infrastructure Platform ($95B Valuation)
What they actually do: Stripe processes payments for millions of online businesses and is expanding into banking, lending, and business management tools.
Why you should care: Stripe is one of the world’s most valuable private companies and handles transactions for businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. They’re revolutionizing how money moves online.
Your opportunity: Stripe looks for systematic thinkers who can handle complex financial systems. They offer extensive mentorship and have a strong promote-from-within culture.
Salary range: $120,000 – $200,000 for software engineers
7. Uber – Transportation and Logistics ($120B+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: Beyond ride-sharing, Uber operates Uber Eats, freight logistics, autonomous vehicle development, and is expanding into grocery delivery.
Why you should care: Uber’s engineering challenges are incredibly complex—real-time logistics, machine learning for pricing, and mapping systems that serve millions daily.
Your opportunity: Uber appreciates scrappy problem-solvers and has a track record of hiring from bootcamps. They value practical experience over theoretical knowledge.
Salary range: $105,000 – $175,000 for software engineers
8. Airbnb – Travel Technology Pioneer ($75B+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: Airbnb revolutionized travel with their marketplace platform and continues to innovate with AI-powered search, dynamic pricing, and experience booking.
Why you should care: Airbnb weathered the pandemic and emerged stronger, with a focus on longer-term stays and unique experiences. They’re expanding globally and investing heavily in technology.
Your opportunity: Airbnb values diverse perspectives and cultural understanding. Many bootcamp graduates bring real-world travel experience that the company prizes.
Salary range: $115,000 – $185,000 for software engineers
Fast-Growing Scale-Ups Making Waves
9. DoorDash – Food Delivery Innovation ($50B+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: DoorDash dominates food delivery in the U.S. and is expanding into grocery delivery, alcohol delivery, and business catering.
Why you should care: DoorDash went public in 2020 and has been growing aggressively. Their logistics and machine learning challenges rival those of much larger companies.
Your opportunity: DoorDash values hustle and practical problem-solving. They’re known for giving bootcamp graduates significant responsibilities quickly.
Salary range: $100,000 – $165,000 for software engineers
10. Slack (Salesforce) – Workplace Communication Revolution
What they actually do: Slack transformed workplace communication and, after being acquired by Salesforce for $27.7 billion, continues to integrate deeply with business workflows.
Why you should care: As part of Salesforce, Slack engineers work on products used by millions of professionals daily. The integration creates unique technical challenges and opportunities.
Your opportunity: Slack maintains its startup culture within Salesforce’s resources. They look for people who understand how teams actually work and communicate.
Salary range: $105,000 – $175,000 for software engineers
11. Twilio – Communications Platform Leader ($8B+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: Twilio provides APIs that let businesses send texts, make calls, and video chat. They power communications for companies like Uber, Netflix, and Twitter.
Why you should care: Every business needs communication tools, making Twilio’s platform essential infrastructure. They’re expanding into customer data and marketing automation.
Your opportunity: Twilio has a strong developer-first culture and appreciates people who can think like their customers—other developers.
Salary range: $110,000 – $170,000 for software engineers
Specialized Leaders in Niche Markets
12. DocuSign – Digital Agreement Solutions ($15B+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: DocuSign made electronic signatures mainstream and now offers a full platform for digital agreements, contract management, and document workflow.
Why you should care: The pandemic accelerated digital document adoption permanently. DocuSign is expanding internationally and adding AI-powered contract analysis.
Your opportunity: DocuSign values people who understand business processes and compliance—skills many career changers bring from previous industries.
Salary range: $95,000 – $155,000 for software engineers
13. Cloudflare – Internet Infrastructure ($25B+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: Cloudflare makes websites faster and more secure. They handle roughly 20% of all web traffic and are expanding into cloud computing and cybersecurity.
Why you should care: Cloudflare is growing rapidly as businesses prioritize website performance and security. They’re building the infrastructure that powers the modern internet.
Your opportunity: Cloudflare has a strong engineering culture and values people who can think systematically about large-scale problems.
Salary range: $115,000 – $180,000 for software engineers
14. Figma (Adobe) – Design Collaboration Platform
What they actually do: Figma revolutionized design collaboration with browser-based tools. Adobe acquired them for $20 billion, recognizing their potential to transform creative workflows.
Why you should care: As part of Adobe, Figma is integrating AI into design tools and expanding their platform. They’re at the forefront of making design more accessible and collaborative.
Your opportunity: Figma values user experience thinking and collaborative mindset—exactly what many bootcamps emphasize in their curriculum.
Salary range: $105,000 – $170,000 for software engineers
15. PagerDuty – Digital Operations Management ($3B+ Market Cap)
What they actually do: PagerDuty helps companies manage digital operations by alerting the right people when systems fail and coordinating incident response.
Why you should care: As businesses become more digital, reliable operations become critical. PagerDuty is essential infrastructure for companies running 24/7 services.
Your opportunity: PagerDuty appreciates people who can think about real-world operational challenges and has a collaborative, problem-solving culture.
Salary range: $100,000 – $160,000 for software engineers
Why These 15 Tech Firms in San Francisco Matter
San Francisco isn’t just another tech hub—it’s the tech hub. The city generates more venture capital per square mile than anywhere else globally, with $63 billion invested in 2024 alone.
What makes them perfect for your career? They’re all actively hiring, offer clear advancement paths, and have track records of promoting from within. More importantly, they value skills over credentials—exactly what bootcamp graduates and career changers need to hear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percent of San Francisco works in tech?
Approximately 10 to 15 percent of the workforce in San Francisco is directly employed in technology roles. However, when including indirect jobs supported by the tech industry, the percentage is significantly higher, showing the deep influence technology has on the city’s economy.
Is $100000 a good salary in San Francisco?
A salary of $100000 in San Francisco is generally considered below the comfortable living threshold. The city has very high housing and living costs. Many cost of living estimates suggest that a salary in the range of $150000 to $200000 is needed to live comfortably, especially if you are renting without roommates. However, if you have minimal debt, share housing, and live modestly, $100000 can still be manageable.
Is San Francisco still a tech hub?
Yes. San Francisco remains one of the leading technology hubs in the world. It is home to major companies such as Salesforce, Uber, and Airbnb, as well as thousands of startups. While some companies have shifted to hybrid or remote models or moved headquarters due to high costs, the Bay Area continues to attract top talent and significant venture capital investment. It maintains a strong global influence in the technology sector.
Is San Francisco good for tech jobs?
Yes. San Francisco offers some of the highest paying technology jobs in the world. There are opportunities in fields such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, product management, and design. While competition for these roles is intense, the city provides unmatched access to networking events, startup culture, and investors. Even with the rise of remote work, San Francisco continues to be a prime location for building a career in technology.
