20. Genentech
Genentech was founded over 40 years ago, and is based in South San Francisco. A part of Roche — which is based in Pleasanton, California — the biotech and pharmaceutical company generates over $10 billion a year. Last year, Genentech ranked No. 2 on a list of the most trustworthy pharma companies.
Median total compensation: $133,605
19. Adobe
Adobe — known for its creative programs and computer software — is headquartered in San Jose, California. The company was founded in 1982.
Median total compensation: $135,027
18. Veritas
Founded one year after Adobe, the computer hardware and software company Veritas is located in Mountain View, California. According to Glassdoor, the company generates between $2 billion and $5 billion per year.
Median total compensation: $137,244
17. Western Digital
Another computer software company, Western Digital joins Veritas in paying its employees a median salary of around $137,000. Like Adobe, the company is based in San Jose.
Median total compensation: $137,527
16. eBay
Also based in San Jose, eBay is widely known for its online shopping experience. Business Insider reported this summer that the company continues to look for ways to better compete with Amazon, most recently by offering its own shipping program.
Median total compensation: $140,056
15. Synopsys
Synopsys tech company is based in Mountain View, California. The company was founded in 1986 and generates between $2 and $5 billion per year, according to Glassdoor.
Median total compensation: $140,577
14. Workday
One of the newest companies on the list, Workday services include financial management for large companies. The business is based in Pleasanton, California, and was founded in 2005.
Median total compensation: $141,893
13. Autodesk
Another computer hardware and software company, Autodesk is based in San Rafael, California. According to Glassdoor, the company brings in approximately $2 to $5 billion in revenue per year.
Median total compensation: $142,083
12. PlayStation
One of the world's biggest names in video games, PlayStation is a part of parent company Sony. Based in San Mateo, California, the gaming company was founded in 1994.
Median total compensation: $143,229
11. ServiceNow
Network solutions company ServiceNow was founded in 2004. The company is based in Santa Clara, California.
Median total compensation: $145,529
10. Juniper Networks
Founded in 1996, Juniper Networks is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The company pays between 5,001 and 10,000 employees.
Median total compensation: $146,781
9. Salesforce
Founded in 1999, the customer relations management company brings in over $10 billion in revenue per year. The Salesforce offices are headquartered in San Francisco.
Median total compensation: $150,379
8. Facebook
One of the most recognizable names on the list, Facebook has been based in Menlo Park, California, ever since CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg moved the company from his Harvard dorm room.
Median total compensation: $152,962
7. LinkedIn
Founded a year before Facebook in 2003, LinkedIn is based in Mountain View, California. The professional network currently employs over 10,000 people.
Median total compensation: $157,402
6. VMware
Founded in 1998, VMware is part of Dell Technologies. While its parent company is based in Round Rock, Texas, the tech division is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
Median total compensation: $158,063
5. Google
Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google is well known for its Googleplex headquarters in Mountain View, California. The massive company employs over 10,000 people.
Median total compensation: $161,254
4. Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences is based in Foster City, California. Like the other pharma companies in Silicon Valley, it has been around for over 30 years.
Median total compensation: $162,210
3. Twitter
Led by CEO Jack Dorsey, Twitter is based in San Francisco. The company was founded by Dorsey in 2006.
Median total compensation: $162,852
2. NVIDIA
Based in Santa Clara, the computer company's invention of the Graphics Processing Unit advanced the PC gaming market and "modern computer graphics." Today, the company employs over 10,000 people and boasts an annual revenue between $5 and $10 billion.
Median total compensation: $170,068
1. Palo Alto Networks
Also based in Santa Clara, California, the security company Palo Alto Networks was founded in 2005. The company partners with organizations to avoid cyber breaches and employs 5,001 to 10,000 people total.
Median total compensation: $170,929