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How much does an AI Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an AI Engineer IV in the United States is $158,360 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.

However, an AI Engineer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $180,179
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $150,279 to $169,781
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $142,922

Key Factors That Influence AI Engineer IV Salaries

An AI Engineer IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects AI Engineer IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an AI Engineer IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • AI Engineer II (2-4 years): $108,472
  • AI Engineer III (4-7 years): $121,907
  • AI Engineer IV (7+ years): $158,360
  • AI Engineer V (7-10 years): $176,128
  • AI Engineering Manager (10+ years): $176,934
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
AI Engineer II2-4 years$108,472
AI Engineer III4-7 years$121,907
AI Engineer IV7+ years$158,360
AI Engineer V7-10 years$176,128
AI Engineering Manager10+ years$176,934

Top Paying Cities for AI Engineer IV

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $199,739
  • San Francisco: $197,553
  • Oakland: $193,389

What Skills Can Increase an AI Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Insight (Mentioned in 3.42% Job Postings): Insight is the understanding cause and effect based on the identification of relationships and behaviors within a model, context, or scenario.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 3.85% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 2.14% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Insight 3.42%
Computer Science 3.85%
Economics 2.14%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an AI Engineer IV's salary.

  • Research Design: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Inference: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Research Design $169,445
7%
Commitment $167,862
6%
Inference $167,862
6%

AI Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

AI Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $177,275. While startup companies pay approximate $149,970.

AI Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $149,970
Growth Stage 51~500 $158,611
Established 501~5000 $171,190
Enterprise 5000+ $177,275

AI Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For AI Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, AI Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view AI Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an AI Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$197,950$95.025%
Internet$190,032$91.020%
Energy & Utilities$182,114$88.015%
Aerospace & Defense$174,196$84.010%
Financial Services$174,196$84.010%

AI Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an AI Engineer IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$150,279
Average $158,360/year
$169,781
$12,523
Average $13,197/month
$14,148
$2,890
Average $3,045/week
$3,265
$72
Average $76/hour
$82
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $169,781 $14,148 $3,265 $82
Average $158,360 $13,197 $3,045 $76
25th Percentile $150,279 $12,523 $2,890 $72

AI Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For an AI Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the AI Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $176,128 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Most common benefits for AI Engineer IV

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for AI Engineer IV

Here are companies hiring for AI Engineer IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about AI Engineer IV

1. Where can an AI Engineer IV earn the most?

An AI Engineer IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an AI Engineer IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an AI Engineer IV is $199,739.

2. What is the highest pay for AI Engineer IV?

The highest pay for AI Engineer IV is $180,179.

3. What is the lowest pay for AI Engineer IV?

The lowest pay for AI Engineer IV is $142,922.

4. What are the responsibilities of AI Engineer IV?

Ensures the scalability, reliability, and performance of AI systems. Develops and executes performance tests on AI systems to measure their efficiency in handling large amounts of data, complex algorithms, and processing speeds to ensure optimal performance. Performs research and testing to develop machine learning algorithms and predictive models. Utilizes big data computation and storage tools to create prototypes and datasets. Proficient in big data tools, cloud platforms, and machine learning. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science or related degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for AI Engineer IV?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for AI Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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