Engineering Manager, AI Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$171,000
national median salary
$129,000 to $223,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $175,140 for Computer and Information Systems Managers (SOC 11-3021) across the United States, based on 670,570 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$107,550
25th percentile
$138,060
Median
$175,140
75th percentile
$220,730
90th percentile
$297,510
Workers surveyed
670,570
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$171,200
May 2025 release
$175,140
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Computer and Information Systems Managers (SOC 11-3021) rather than Engineering Manager, AIspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 11-3021Highest Paying
$236,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$178,000
Boston, MA
Lowest Paying
$128,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 11-3021. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Engineering Manager, AI salary in the United States at $171,000 in 2026, within a range of $129,000 to $223,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $236,000, while Boston offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Compensation reflects team size, technical depth of the managed domain, and the strategic importance of AI initiatives.
Engineering Manager, AI salary by city.
Skills that increase Engineering Manager, AI pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Engineering Manager, AIs based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $23,940 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$23,940 per year
≈ +$22,230 per year
≈ +$20,520 per year
≈ +$18,810 per year
≈ +$18,810 per year
≈ +$17,100 per year
≈ +$17,100 per year
≈ +$15,390 per year
What you should know.
Compensation reflects team size, technical depth of the managed domain, and the strategic importance of AI initiatives. Managers leading teams on production ML systems earn more than those managing experimental projects. Experience hiring and retaining scarce AI talent, combined with the ability to contribute technically, drives premiums.
First-time AI engineering managers start at $150,000 to $170,000. Experienced managers leading teams of 8 to 15 reach $190,000 to $230,000. Senior managers or directors overseeing multiple AI teams earn $240,000 to $320,000. VPs of AI engineering at mid to large companies can exceed $400,000 in total compensation.
RSUs at tech companies add $50,000 to $200,000 annually. Bonuses of 15% to 25% are standard, often tied to team delivery and retention metrics. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $50,000 are common. Management development programs and executive coaching are frequent benefits.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Engineering Manager, AIs typically earn $154,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Engineering Manager, AI pay.
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