Knowledge Graph Engineer.
San Jose.
$232,000
median salary, 36% above the national average
$175,000 to $303,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Knowledge Graph Engineer offer in San Jose, CA, here is the reality: $175,000 to $303,000, with $232,000 as the midpoint. 36% above the national average. Knowledge graph engineers combine graph database expertise with AI integration skills, a specialization that commands premium pay. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $209,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$151,000
to $186,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$197,000
to $244,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$255,000
to $302,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$290,000
to $360,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $58,000 to the total package.
Base
$232,000
Equity
$32,000
Bonus
$21,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $290,000
How San Jose compares
San Jose, CA
$232,000
Cost of living: 38% above average
National Average
$170,000
San Jose is $62,000 above
Knowledge Graph Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in San Jose
What you should know
The Knowledge Graph Engineer landscape in San Jose is not what most salary sites will tell you. San Jose is the capital of Silicon Valley, home to Apple, Google, Adobe, and Cisco. The city consistently ranks among the highest paying metros in the country for technology roles. Competition for talent is fierce, with employers offering aggressive compensation packages including equity, signing bonuses, and premium benefits to attract and retain engineers. Knowledge graph engineers combine graph database expertise with AI integration skills, a specialization that commands premium pay. Experience with enterprise knowledge graphs at scale using Neo4j, Amazon Neptune, or custom solutions drives salary above standard backend engineering. Pharmaceutical and fintech sectors pay the highest rates for this role.
Junior knowledge graph engineers earn $128,000 to $152,000. Engineers with 3 to 5 years of specialized experience reach $170,000 to $222,000. Senior engineers and graph platform leads earn $228,000 to $300,000, while principal engineers and directors of knowledge systems can command $310,000 to $400,000. In San Jose, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 38% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Tech companies offer equity worth 18 to 30% of base salary. Annual bonuses range from 10 to 18%. Enterprise software companies may offer customer success bonuses tied to knowledge graph deployment milestones worth $8,000 to $20,000 annually. And on the tax side: california's top 13.3% state rate applies fully here. While gross salaries in San Jose are among the nation's highest, the tax burden means net pay may not stretch as far as expected. When someone quotes you $232,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Always negotiate equity alongside base salary. San Jose employers expect candidates to evaluate total compensation including RSUs, and leaving equity on the table is leaving money behind. The range for Knowledge Graph Engineers in San Jose runs from $175,000 to $303,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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Common questions.
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