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Artificial Intelligence Developer Salary in the United States

How much does an Artificial Intelligence Developer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Artificial Intelligence Developer in the United States is $163,680 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

However, an Artificial Intelligence Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $184,473
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $154,766 to $174,564
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $146,650
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Artificial Intelligence Developer Salaries

An Artificial Intelligence Developer'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 Artificial Intelligence Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Artificial Intelligence Developer'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): $116,235
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $140,117
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $164,299
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $194,863
  • Expert (over 8 years): $178,298
Levels Salary
AI Engine... Level Artificial Intelligence Developer$116,235
AI Engine... Level Artificial Intelligence Developer$140,117
Artificia... Level Artificial Intelligence Developer$164,299
AI Engine... Level Artificial Intelligence Developer$194,863
AI Engine... Level Artificial Intelligence Developer$178,298
View as Graph

How Do Artificial Intelligence Developer 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 Artificial Intelligence Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $181,226.
  • California: $180,539.
  • Massachusetts: $178,133.

Top Paying Cities for Artificial Intelligence Developers

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: $206,450
  • San Francisco: $204,189
  • Oakland: $199,886

What Skills Can Increase an Artificial Intelligence Developer'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%
See More Skills

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 Artificial Intelligence Developer'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 $175,138
7%
Commitment $173,501
6%
Inference $173,501
6%
Get Latest Data

Artificial Intelligence Developer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Artificial Intelligence Developer 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, Artificial Intelligence Developer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Artificial Intelligence Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Artificial Intelligence Developer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$204,600$98.025%
Internet$196,416$94.020%
Energy & Utilities$188,232$90.015%
Aerospace & Defense$180,048$87.010%
Financial Services$180,048$87.010%

Artificial Intelligence Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Artificial Intelligence Developer'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
$154,766
Average $163,680/year
$174,564
$12,897
Average $13,640/month
$14,547
$2,976
Average $3,148/week
$3,357
$74
Average $79/hour
$84
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $174,564 $14,547 $3,357 $84
Average $163,680 $13,640 $3,148 $79
25th Percentile $154,766 $12,897 $2,976 $74

Most common benefits for Artificial Intelligence Developer

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

Common company salaries for Artificial Intelligence Developer

Here are companies hiring for Artificial Intelligence Developer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Artificial Intelligence Developer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Artificial Intelligence Developer?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Artificial Intelligence Developer 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.)

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