AI Engineer Salary 2026: Complete US Pay Guide & Ranges

Key Takeaways

1. AI engineer salaries in 2026 average $211k base with median total compensation around $140k, reaching up to $293k on average per Levels.fyi data from 9,517 profiles.
2. Experience drives pay: entry-level $100k-$173k total comp, mid-level $140k-$211k, senior $195k-$350k+, and staff/principal up to $943k.
3. Top locations like SF ($186k-$207k base), NYC, and Boston offer 20-50% premiums over national averages; FAANG and startups provide equity-boosted packages.
4. Specialized skills in generative AI, deep learning, and LLMs command premiums, with senior ML engineers averaging $212k+ and LLM developers at $209k base.
5. Engineering leaders can justify $150k+ AI hires by proving ROI with Exceeds AI’s free report, tracking AI code productivity across tools like Copilot and Cursor.

Overall US AI Engineer Salary Averages & Medians 2026

AI engineer compensation varies widely across data sources, which reflects how fast this field is evolving. Median total compensation sits around $140k, while Levels.fyi data shows an average of $293k total compensation across 9,517 profiles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites a median base salary of $145k.

Key salary ranges include:

1. Base salary range: $92k-$253k
2. Total compensation range: $201k-$943k
3. Average AI engineer salary: $206k in 2025

This wide spread reflects differences in experience, location, company size, and specialization. Senior roles at major tech companies consistently command the highest compensation packages.

AI Engineer Salary by Experience Level 2026

Experience level shapes AI engineer compensation more than almost any other factor. Clear progression paths exist from entry-level roles to staff and principal positions.

Mid-level AI engineers saw the strongest salary gains at 9.2% year-over-year in 2026, which shows intense demand for professionals with 3-5 years of experience. Junior-level AI professionals in North America averaged $173,500, actually exceeding directors at $152,600. This gap highlights how hands-on AI skills command premium pay regardless of traditional seniority.

AI Engineer Salary by Location, Company Type & Key Factors

Location plays a major role in AI engineer pay, with top tech hubs offering the highest salaries.

Company type also shapes compensation in a big way:

1. FAANG companies like Google offer $185k-$583k total compensation
2. Startups typically offer 0.1-0.5% equity packages
3. Staff-level engineers at companies like Reddit can earn $650k-$750k total compensation

Specialized skills often add meaningful salary premiums: Senior ML engineers with deep learning expertise average $212,928. Generative AI specialists earn $150k-$280k+, with senior levels often above $280k. Specialized LLM developers command average base pay of $209k.

Remote roles usually include a 10-20% salary adjustment compared to major tech hubs. Many companies now reduce location-based pay differences for top AI talent, especially for critical roles. Get my free AI report to see how location and specialization should shape your team’s compensation strategy.

Justifying $150k+ AI Hires: Prove ROI with Exceeds AI

AI engineer salaries keep rising, and engineering leaders must show clear ROI on these premium hires to executives and boards. The challenge goes beyond setting budgets. Leaders need proof that AI-powered teams deliver measurable productivity and quality gains.

Traditional developer analytics platforms like Jellyfish and LinearB track metadata but cannot see AI’s impact at the code level. These tools do not distinguish AI-generated code from human-written code, which makes ROI on AI tools and high-salary AI hires hard to prove.

Exceeds AI solves this problem by giving commit and PR-level visibility across your entire AI toolchain, including Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, and others. With 41% of code now AI-generated globally, Exceeds tracks which specific lines come from AI and measures their effect on productivity, quality, and long-term maintainability.

Key capabilities include:

1. AI Usage Diff Mapping: See exactly which commits and PRs contain AI-generated code
2. Outcome Analytics: Compare cycle times, defect rates, and rework patterns for AI code versus human code
3. Multi-tool Support: Track adoption and outcomes across all AI coding tools
4. Longitudinal Tracking: Monitor AI-touched code for technical debt over 30+ days

One mid-market customer learned that 58% of their commits were AI-generated, with an 18% productivity lift and stable code quality. Deeper analysis then revealed concerning rework patterns in specific teams, which enabled targeted coaching and focused process improvements.

Get my free AI report to show that your AI investments deliver measurable business value and to justify premium compensation for top AI talent.

AI Engineer Salary FAQ 2026

How much do AI engineers get paid?

AI engineers earn a median total compensation of about $140k according to Glassdoor, while Levels.fyi data shows an average of $293k across thousands of profiles. Base salaries usually range from $92k to $253k, and total compensation can reach $943k for top performers at major tech companies. Experience, location, and specialization all shape earnings. Entry-level roles start around $100k-$173k total compensation, and senior positions often exceed $300k.

What engineers make $300k a year?

Engineers who earn $300k or more per year often include staff-level AI and ML engineers at FAANG companies, senior experts in generative AI or deep learning, and engineers at high-growth startups with meaningful equity. Companies like Reddit offer L6 engineers $650k-$750k total compensation, while Google provides $185k-$583k packages for AI specialists. Specialized roles such as LLM developers average $209k base salary, and total compensation often passes $300k once stock and bonuses are included.

Do AI engineers work remotely?

Many AI engineers work remotely, although pay often includes a 10-20% adjustment compared to major tech hub salaries. Remote work has become common as companies accept that AI talent is globally distributed. Some organizations now reduce location-based pay differences for critical AI roles. Remote AI engineers can strengthen their position by using tools like Exceeds AI to show productivity and code quality regardless of location.

What degree do AI engineers need?

Most AI engineers hold bachelor’s degrees in computer science, mathematics, or related technical fields, and many pursue master’s degrees in machine learning or AI. Practical skills and proven expertise often matter more than formal credentials. Strong programming skills, solid knowledge of machine learning algorithms, and experience with AI frameworks are essential. Many successful AI engineers are self-taught or moved into AI from software engineering or data science roles.

What is the AI engineer salary at Google?

Google AI engineers earn between $185k and $583k in total compensation, depending on level and specialization. Base salaries usually range from $150k to $300k or more, with stock grants, bonuses, and benefits making up the rest of the package. Google’s AI teams, especially those focused on generative AI and large language models, receive premium pay because of the strategic importance of these projects. Senior and staff-level roles often exceed $400k total compensation.

Conclusion: Benchmark Your Salary & Fund Top AI Talent

AI engineer salaries in 2026 reflect how central AI expertise has become to modern software development. Whether you are negotiating your next offer or planning a hiring budget, clear compensation benchmarks help you make better decisions.

For engineering leaders, the challenge goes beyond budget planning. You must prove that high-salary AI hires deliver measurable business value. Get my free AI report to benchmark your team’s AI productivity, support premium compensation packages, and show ROI to executives with confidence.