Software Engineer salary: London vs San Francisco
London's salary ceiling is roughly half of San Francisco's — but cost-of-living and equity culture compress the real-take-home gap more than people expect.
Software Engineer median · London
—
UK · live Adzuna
Software Engineer median · San Francisco
—
US · live Adzuna
London market
London salaries are the highest in the UK and carry the largest cost-of-living adjustment. The London premium over the national median is roughly 15-30% depending on role. Remote-first employers have applied downward pressure on this premium, but in-office and hybrid roles in London still command a clear uplift; contract day rates run 20-35% above equivalent Manchester or Birmingham figures.
San Francisco market
San Francisco remains the highest-paid tech market globally. Cash base salaries lead the country; equity (RSUs, options) typically adds 30-100% to total comp. The contract day-rate market is the deepest in the world for senior engineering and AI roles.
Software Engineer salary in London (full report)
Percentiles, contract day rate, side-income context.
Software Engineer salary in San Francisco (full report)
Percentiles, contract day rate, side-income context.
Where do you sit on this benchmark?
Hustle Report pulls live medians for your role and postcode every Monday — plus matched side-hustle briefs to close any gap your benchmark exposes.
Compare other cities
More Software Engineer salary comparisons
Same cities, different role