How Much Does An ai software engineer Make in San Jose, CA ? (2026 Salary Guide)

ai software engineer Salary in San Jose, CA

As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for ai software engineer in San Jose, CA is $161,789, equivalent to $78 per hour, $3,111 weekly, or $13,482 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for ai software engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for ai software engineer in San Jose, CA vary widely, spanning from $137,045 to $188,009. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($148,837) and 75th percentile ($175,514), while top earners (90th percentile) make $188,009 per year. This $26,677 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Software Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, San Jose ai software engineer often earn 14.4% higher than national averages. However, San Jose currently ranks 2 statewide for ai software engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

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ai software engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile ai software engineer Salary $137,045 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
25th Percentile ai software engineer Salary $148,837 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
50th Percentile ai software engineer Salary $161,789 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
75th Percentile ai software engineer Salary $175,514 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
90th Percentile ai software engineer Salary $188,009 San Jose, CA April 01, 2026
25% $148,837 10% $137,045 90% $188,009 75% $175,514 $161,789 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is An ai software engineer ?

An AI Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing artificial intelligence solutions to solve complex problems. This role involves collaborating with data scientists and other engineers to create algorithms and models that enhance machine learning capabilities. Key responsibilities include coding in languages such as Python or Java, optimizing AI models for performance, and conducting experiments to validate results. The salary for an AI Software Engineer varies based on experience, location, and the specific industry. Entry-level positions typically start at ...

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Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Software Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    ai software engineer

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Software Engineer IV

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

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Understand the total compensation opportunity for An ai software engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
148837
175514
161789

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
162459
199296
179981
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of ai software engineer in San Jose, CA. The base salary for ai software engineer ranges from $148,837 to $175,514 with the average base salary of $161,789. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $162,459 to $199,296 with the average total cash compensation of $179,981.

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148837
175514

 

About San Jose, California    San Jose is located at 37°20′07″N 121°53′31″W / 37.335278°N 121.891944°W / 37.335278; -121.891944. According to the United States Census Bureau, th....More

San Jose, California  area prices were up 2.9% from a year ago

ai software engineer Salary in popular cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco

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Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

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