As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for ai director in California is $191,932, equivalent to $92 per hour, $3,691 weekly, or $15,994 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for ai director in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for ai director in California vary widely, spanning from $160,634 to $212,758. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($175,549) and 75th percentile ($202,833), while top earners (90th percentile) make $212,758 per year. This $27,284 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Computer Science, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California ai director often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 49 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for ai director job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
