Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

AI Engineering Senior Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an AI Engineering Senior Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an AI Engineering Senior Manager in the United States is $198,965 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $96.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $217,917
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $193,126 to $208,885
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $187,810
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence AI Engineering Senior Manager Salaries

An AI Engineering Senior Manager'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 Engineering Senior Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an AI Engineering Senior Manager'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 IV (7+ years): $163,044
  • AI Engineer V (7-10 years): $193,374
  • AI Engineering Manager (10+ years): $176,936
  • AI Engineering Senior Manager (10+ years): $198,965
  • AI Engineering Director (10+ years): $228,215
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
AI Engineer IV7+ years$163,044
AI Engineer V7-10 years$193,374
AI Engineering Manager10+ years$176,936
AI Engineering Senior Manager10+ years$198,965
AI Engineering Director10+ years$228,215
View as Graph

How Do AI Engineering Senior Manager 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 Engineering Senior Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $220,294.
  • California: $219,458.
  • Massachusetts: $216,534.

Top Paying Cities for AI Engineering Senior Managers

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: $250,955
  • San Francisco: $248,207
  • Oakland: $242,976

AI Engineering Senior Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

AI Engineering Senior Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $222,352. While startup companies pay approximate $188,087.

AI Engineering Senior Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $188,087
Growth Stage 51~500 $198,921
Established 501~5000 $214,709
Enterprise 5000+ $222,352

AI Engineering Senior Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For AI Engineering Senior Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, AI Engineering Senior Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view AI Engineering Senior Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an AI Engineering Senior Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$218,862$105.010%
Internet$218,862$105.010%
Media$218,862$105.010%
MFG Durable$218,862$105.010%
MFG Nondurable$218,862$105.010%

AI Engineering Senior Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an AI Engineering Senior Manager'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 September 01, 2026
$193,126
Average $198,965/year
$208,885
$16,094
Average $16,580/month
$17,407
$3,714
Average $3,826/week
$4,017
$93
Average $96/hour
$100
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $208,885 $17,407 $4,017 $100
Average $198,965 $16,580 $3,826 $96
25th Percentile $193,126 $16,094 $3,714 $93

AI Engineering Senior Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

AI Engineering Senior Manager

Next Role

For an AI Engineering Senior Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the AI Engineering Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $228,215 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for AI Engineering Senior Manager

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

Common company salaries for AI Engineering Senior Manager

Here are companies hiring for AI Engineering Senior Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next AI Engineering Senior Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current AI Engineering Senior Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about AI Engineering Senior Manager

1. Where can an AI Engineering Senior Manager earn the most?

An AI Engineering Senior Manager'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 Engineering Senior Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an AI Engineering Senior Manager is $250,955.

2. What is the highest pay for AI Engineering Senior Manager?

The highest pay for AI Engineering Senior Manager is $217,917.

3. What is the lowest pay for AI Engineering Senior Manager?

The lowest pay for AI Engineering Senior Manager is $187,810.

4. What are the responsibilities of AI Engineering Senior Manager?

Oversees and manages the design and development of scalable solutions using AI tools and machine learning models. Leads a team that is responsible for the scalability, reliability, and performance of AI systems. Monitors the development and execution of performance tests on AI systems that 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 director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for AI Engineering Senior Manager?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for AI Engineering Senior Manager roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job