AI Engineer salaries continue to rise as companies invest heavily in artificial intelligence talent. To help you understand the current market, we analyzed AI Engineer salary data collected from Built In and compiled the most important findings into this report.
The AI engineer US salary report covers average salaries, total compensation, salary ranges, experience levels, gender pay, and the highest paying US cities. Whether you are planning a career in AI or benchmarking your compensation, these statistics provide a clear snapshot of AI Engineer salaries in the US for 2026.
Key findings
- The average AI Engineer salary in the US is $184,757 per year, while the average total compensation reaches $211,243.
- AI Engineers receive an average of $26,486 in additional cash compensation, including bonuses, stock options, and other incentives.
- AI Engineer salaries range from $80,000 to $338,000 per year, with a median salary of $180,000.
- The most common AI Engineer salary falls between $160,000 and $170,000 annually.
- AI Engineers with more than 7 years of experience earn an average salary of $194,413, compared to $80,000 for professionals with less than one year of experience.
- Female AI Engineers earn an average salary of $194,164, which is $18,482 higher than the reported average salary for male AI Engineers.
- San Francisco is the highest paying city for AI Engineers, with an average salary of $246,250, which is 39% higher than the national average.
- Remote AI Engineers earn an average salary of $180,173, which is 17% above the national average.
- New York City is the second highest paying location, offering an average AI Engineer salary of $223,464.
- The highest reported AI Engineer salary is $338,000, more than 4 times the lowest reported salary of $80,000.
What is the average AI Engineer salary in the US in 2026?
The average AI Engineer salary in the US is $184,757 per year. This represents the average base salary across AI Engineers working in different industries, companies, and experience levels.
In addition to base pay, many AI Engineers receive bonuses, stock options, and other incentives that increase their overall earnings.
As a result, total compensation is often significantly higher than the reported base salary.
| Salary Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average Base Salary | $184,757 |
| Average Additional Cash Compensation | $26,486 |
| Average Total Compensation | $211,243 |
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What is the average total compensation for an AI Engineer in the US?
The average total compensation for an AI Engineer in the US is $211,243 per year. This includes an average base salary of $184,757 and an average additional cash compensation of $26,486.
However, additional compensation may include annual performance bonuses, signing bonuses, stock grants, profit sharing, and other financial incentives. Large technology companies often offer higher equity packages, making total compensation much higher than base salary alone.
What is the salary range for AI Engineers in the US?
AI Engineer salaries in the US range from $80,000 to $338,000 per year. The wide salary range reflects differences in experience, technical expertise, company size, and geographic location.
While entry-level AI Engineers typically start near the lower end of the range, experienced professionals with expertise in machine learning, generative AI, computer vision, or large language models often earn well above $250,000.
| Salary Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Salary | $80,000 |
| Median Salary | $180,000 |
| Average Salary | $184,757 |
| Maximum Salary | $338,000 |
What is the most common AI Engineer salary range?
The most common AI Engineer salary falls between $160,000 and $170,000 per year. This salary range includes the largest share of AI professionals in the dataset.
The average salary of $184,757 is slightly higher than the most common salary range because a smaller group of highly paid senior AI Engineers increases the overall average.
How does AI Engineer salary increase with experience?
AI Engineer salaries generally increase as professionals gain more industry experience and develop specialized AI skills.
The biggest salary jump occurs during the first few years of an AI career. Salaries continue to grow with experience before stabilizing around the senior level.
| Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | $80,000 |
| 1 to 3 years | ~$156,000 |
| 3 to 5 years | ~$132,000 |
| 5 to 7 years | ~$194,000 |
| 7+ years | $194,413 |
Do female AI Engineers earn more than male AI Engineers?
According to the available salary data, female AI Engineers earn an average salary of $194,164, while male AI Engineers earn an average salary of $175,682.
The reported figures show that female AI Engineers earn approximately $18,482 more on average. However, salary differences can vary depending on job title, experience, company, location, and specialization.
| Gender | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Female | $194,164 |
| Male | $175,682 |
| Other | ~$150,000 |
| Not Specified | ~$142,000 |
Which US cities pay the highest salaries for AI Engineers?
San Francisco offers the highest average AI Engineer salary at $246,250, followed by New York City at $223,464.
Several other cities also offer salaries that are well above the national average, making them attractive locations for AI professionals seeking higher compensation.
| Rank | City | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $246,250 |
| 2 | New York City, NY | $223,464 |
| 3 | Remote | $180,173 |
| 4 | Albuquerque, NM | $180,000 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $180,000 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $180,000 |
| 7 | Greater Denver Area | $180,000 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $177,300 |
| 9 | Boston, MA | $172,500 |
| 10 | Greater Boulder Area | $162,500 |
How much more do AI Engineers earn in San Francisco than the national average?
AI Engineers working in San Francisco earn an average salary of $246,250, which is 39% higher than the national average salary of $149,430.
The city’s strong concentration of AI startups, global technology companies, venture capital firms, and research organizations continues to drive demand for experienced AI talent, resulting in some of the highest salaries in the country.
Is a remote AI Engineer salary higher than the national average?
Yes. Remote AI Engineers earn an average salary of $180,173, which is 17% higher than the national average salary of $149,430.
This suggests that remote work continues to provide competitive earning opportunities. Many companies now hire AI Engineers remotely while offering salaries comparable to those in major technology hubs.
What is the highest and lowest reported AI Engineer salary in the US?
The reported AI Engineer salaries in the US range from $80,000 to $338,000 per year. This wide salary range reflects differences in experience, technical expertise, job responsibilities, employer, and location.
The highest reported salary of $338,000 is typically earned by senior AI Engineers, AI architects, principal machine learning engineers, and staff engineers. These professionals often have years of experience working with machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, MLOps, and large language models.
The lowest reported salary of $80,000 is generally associated with entry level AI Engineers, recent graduates, or professionals transitioning into AI roles. As AI Engineers gain practical experience and build expertise in specialized AI technologies, their earning potential increases significantly.
Reference
💡 Further resources:
- Top 5 Best Platforms To Hire AI Developers In USAÂ
- What is the True Cost of Hiring AI Developers?Â
- How Much Does AI Development Cost?Â
Final words
AI Engineer salaries remain among the highest in the technology industry, with compensation varying based on experience, location, and specialized AI skills. Use these insights to benchmark your salary, plan your career, or make informed hiring decisions.
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Dhanalakshmi Kadirvelu is a Business Intelligence and Data Analytics expert with a strong focus on software development and data engineering. She creates efficient data models, builds interactive dashboards, and integrates analytics into software systems using Power BI, OBIEE, and SQL. Her work helps development teams use data effectively to create smarter software solutions and improve business performance.
