i'd expect at least 55k

Around $55k seems right based on your experience. I have to say after living in SF for around 15 years, it is not the best architecture scene. But you've already heard that.

Is this list good enough for you? Almost all the firms are modern, some are established firms that are not quite so modern. It may not be 100% up to date (i.e. I think Jim Jennings is no longer in business). Good luck.

1. Aidlin Darling Design
2. Anderson Anderson Architecture
3. Anshen + Allen
4. Axelrod Design
5. Baldauf Catton von Eckartsberg Architects (BCV)
6. BAMO
7. BAR Architects
8. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
9. Boor Bridges Architecture
10. Brand + Allen
11. Brayton Hughes Design Studios
12. Bruce Tomb
13. Butler Armsden Architects
14. Cannon Design
15. Cary Bernstein | Architect
16. CCS Architecture
17. Cee Architects
18. Charles F. Bloszies, AIA
19. Craig Steely Architecture
20. Daniel Solomon Design Partners
21. David Baker & Partners
22. DMJM/AECOM
23. Dumican Mosey Architects
24. EDG
25. EHDD
26. Eight Inc.
27. Endres Ware
28. Envelope A+D
29. FARM
30. Faulders Studio
31. Feldman Architecture
32. Fernau + Hartman Architects
33. Form4 Architecture
34. Fougeron Architecture
35. Garcia/Tamjidi
36. Gensler
37. Handel Architects
38. Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK)
39. Holly Hulburd Design
40. Interstice Architects Inc.
41. Iwamoto Scott Architecture
42. Jim Jennings Architecture
43. John Lum Architecture, Inc.
44. Jensen Architects
45. jones | haydu
46. Kennerly Architecture and Planning
47. Kuth/Ranieri Architects
48. Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
49. Lundberg Design
50. Macy Architecture
51. Mark Cavagnero Associates
52. Mark Dziewulski
53. Mark Horton / Architecture
54. Michelle Kaufmann Designs
55. Min/Day
56. Mithun
57. Naylor & Chu , Inc.
58. NBBJ
59. Nick Noyes Architecture
60. Nilus Designs
61. Ogrydziak/Prillinger
62. Paulett Taggart Architects
63. Perkins+Will
64. Pfau Long Architecture, Ltd
65. POLLACK architecture
66. Public Architecture
67. Robert Nebolon Architects
68. RossDrulisCusenbery Architecture, Inc.
69. Sagan Piechota Architecture
70. serrao design/architecture
71. Shift Design Studio
72. SMWM
73. SOM
74. Stanley Saitowitz/Natoma Architects
75. STUDIOS Architecture
76. Swatt Miers Architects
77. Turnbull Griffin Haesloop
78. William Duff Architects
79. WRNS Studio
80. Zack/de Vito Architecture

I would expect at least 55-60k in San Fran with your 2 years of experience.

P+W not hiring, they are hurting firmwide.  Major management shakeups.

I am making $20/hr for 3.5 years exp for Concept,SD,DD,CD,CA large scale and small building projects large,med and small offices.

I think it is doable.  

i'm making 52k with 3.5 yrs of exp out of undergrad for mostly SD and short DD and CD.

As for your preference, I'd suggest Firm #25, 37,48, and 79.

Didn't SMWM and Studios merge with Perkins & Will?

Stasis

What kind of culture do 25,37,48 and 79 have?

zenakis, i only suggested those firms based upon Chingale's preference: medium corporate boutique" firm with strong 'high performance/sustainability design focus'.  i don't know enough to explain office culture. i'm also sure that there are other firms fulfill those criteria.

i've only been to 25 and 37 for a short gig and an interview.  they both seem pretty friendly place where they provide good opportunities for younger designers to grow. I am an idiot for not taking a job offer from them.. :(.

Ok - Thanks for your info - just curious as what else is going on -

BCV is hiring.  

Jim Jennings Architecture is still going strong, just not hiring at the moment.

Archinectors,

Thank you all for your great responses and to the start of a good thread.

EIG - Your list is terrific. Thanks much. 

nothing, stasis, 4square - thanks for the tips and suggestions.

With regards to my preferences, I got picked up out of grad school by a firm that may not win high marks for thoughtful regional craft / material studies, etc, but is super competent as a technical firm, has a solid pipeline of urban work, a good reputation and no qualms about throwing inexperienced grads into the fray to get them to learn quickly. I've learned alot and am very grateful. I'm hoping to find a smaller / medium sized firm (25 - 65pp)  that I could make a commitment to and grow with. I'm targeting firms that have a good mix of Education / Mixed-Use / Housing / Civic with a strong contribution to public space / urban landscape.

Its a super tough economy. I'm going to hop into the SF job scene fray beginning in May and will update this post. 

Good luck to everyone out there,

Chingale

Chingale

I was in your position in 2007, right after I graduated - M.arch I was hired by Skidmore and and as you say, thrown in the fray - that was then - and in 2008, It was a reversal of fortune, and I have been trying to work my way into a better situation - Good luck, and do whatever it takes to be the the best - 

Zenakis, I was in the same boat as yours.  Graduated in 07, suffered through 08-11.  I remember my three days at Skidmore as a temp then thrown out.  You should try out recruiters too.  They often led me to more job opportunies. 

Stasis

thanks - I was in the process of contacting 3 and I think I will be showing up at AIA-SF events more esp. Revit users group on Wed w/Ideate