Ai Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does an Ai Scientist make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Ai Scientist in the United States is $171,899 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $83.

However, an Ai Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $190,255
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $156,030 to $181,507
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $141,582
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View as table View as graph 25% $156,030 10% $141,582 90% $190,255 75% $181,507 $171,899 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Ai Scientist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $181,507 $15,126 $3,491 $87
Average $171,899 $14,325 $3,306 $83
25th Percentile $156,030 $13,003 $3,001 $75
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Key Factors That Influence Ai Scientist Salaries

An Ai Scientist'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 Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Ai Scientist'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $165,287
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $166,389
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $167,491
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $169,695
  • Expert (over 8 years): $172,560
Levels Salary
Entry Level Ai Scientist$165,287
Intermediate Level Ai Scientist$166,389
Senior Level Ai Scientist$167,491
Specialist Level Ai Scientist$169,695
Expert Level Ai Scientist$172,560
$165,287 0 yr
$166,389 < 2 yrs
$167,491 2-4 yrs
$169,695 5-8 yrs
$172,560 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Ai Scientists

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: $216,816
  • San Francisco: $214,685
  • Oakland: $209,923

What Skills Can Increase an Ai Scientist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.73% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 4.61% 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.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.37% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.73%
Computer Science 4.61%
Programming 1.37%
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 Scientist's salary.
  • Active Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Active Learning
$192,527
12%
Data-Driven Decision-Making
$190,808
11%
Products and Services
$187,370
9%
Team Building
$182,213
6%
Data Structure
$182,213
6%
Team Development
$180,494
5%
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Ai Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Ai Scientist'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Ai Scientist

Salaries for an Ai Scientist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $169,075 in 2023 to around $169,079 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Ai Scientist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Ai Scientist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$169,075
2024
$170,818
2025
$169,079
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $169,075
2024 $170,818
2025 $169,079
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Ai Scientist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Ai Scientist

Here are companies hiring for Ai Scientist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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.)

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