As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for an AI Engineer V in the United States is $176,214 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $85.
However, an AI Engineer V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An AI Engineer V'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an AI Engineer V'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AI Engineer III | 4-7 years | $121,986 |
| AI Engineer IV | 7+ years | $158,354 |
| AI Engineer V | 7-10 years | $176,214 |
| AI Engineering Manager | 10+ years | $176,921 |
| AI Engineering Senior Manager | 10+ years | $198,976 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract AI Engineer Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 2.73% |
| Computer Science | 4.61% |
| Programming | 1.37% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Active Learning
|
$197,360 |
12%
|
|
Data-Driven Decision-Making
|
$195,598 |
11%
|
|
Products and Services
|
$192,073 |
9%
|
|
Team Building
|
$186,787 |
6%
|
|
Data Structure
|
$186,787 |
6%
|
|
Team Development
|
$185,025 |
5%
|
Understanding how an AI Engineer V'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 February 01, 2026For an AI Engineer V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the AI Engineer VI role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $248,530 - a projected growth of 41% over your current level.
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for AI Engineer V and their salaries, click below for more details.
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An AI Engineer V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an AI Engineer V is $222,259.
The highest pay for AI Engineer V is $194,980.
The lowest pay for AI Engineer V is $147,424.
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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.
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.)
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