What are the main factors that influence an AI Engineer VI's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What are the highest paying states for an AI Engineer VI?

AI Engineer VI salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for AI Engineer VI roles are District of Columbia $276,696, California $275,646, Massachusetts $271,973. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of AI Engineer roles make?

Salaries for AI Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Artificial Intelligence Engineer VI: $250,000; Machine Learning Engineer VI: $249,910; AI Research Scientist VI: $220,102; Engineer VI: $187,056; Lead AI Engineer: $176,203.

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AI Engineer VI Salary in District of Columbia

How much does an AI Engineer VI make in District of Columbia?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for an AI Engineer VI in District of Columbia is $276,696 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $133.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $323,415
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $254,577 to $301,150
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $234,439

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AI Engineer VI Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$301,150	$25,096	$5,791	$145
Average	$276,696	$23,058	$5,321	$133
25th Percentile	$254,577	$21,215	$4,896	$122

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Key Factors That Influence AI Engineer VI Salaries

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

How Do AI Engineer VI Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 VIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $276,696.
California: $275,646.
Massachusetts: $271,973.

District of Columbia $276,696 California $275,646 Massachusetts $271,973 Washington $270,973 New Jersey $270,873 Alaska $270,523 Connecticut $267,074 New York $265,675

Hawaii $261,202 Rhode Island $259,102 Maryland $257,678 Minnesota $255,729 Colorado $254,979 Illinois $254,729 Oregon $253,779 Delaware $253,080

New Hampshire $252,640 Virginia $251,655 Pennsylvania $248,781 Nevada $247,332 North Dakota $246,857 Michigan $246,107 Wisconsin $245,832 Vermont $245,283

Texas $243,758 Maine $243,658 Arizona $243,508 Ohio $243,333 Georgia $241,034 Indiana $239,885 Wyoming $239,660 Utah $239,310

Iowa $239,160 Kansas $237,960 Louisiana $237,610 North Carolina $237,486 Missouri $237,436 Florida $236,461 Montana $235,936 Nebraska $235,436

Kentucky $235,161 South Carolina $234,162 Tennessee $233,537 Idaho $233,287 New Mexico $231,463 Oklahoma $231,063 Alabama $229,589 South Dakota $227,114

Arkansas $225,765 West Virginia $225,040 Mississippi $222,866

Top Paying Cities for AI Engineer VIs

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:

Parcel Return Service: $276,696
Washington: $276,696
Naval Anacost Annex: $276,696

Parcel Return Service, DC $276,696 Washington, DC $276,696 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $276,696 Washington Navy Yard, DC $276,696

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

Understanding how an AI Engineer VI'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 April 01, 2026

$254,577

Average $276,696/year

$301,150

$21,215

Average $23,058/month

$25,096

$4,896

Average $5,321/week

$5,791

$122

Average $133/hour

$145

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$301,150	$25,096	$5,791	$145
Average	$276,696	$23,058	$5,321	$133
25th Percentile	$254,577	$21,215	$4,896	$122

AI Engineer VI Salary Growth & Career Path

AI Engineer VI

AI Engineering Manager

AI Engineering Senior Manager

For an AI Engineer VI, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the AI Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $195,892 - a projected growth of -29% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to AI Engineer VI

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Cost of Living In District of Columbia

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.