VP of AI Engineering Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$303,000
national median salary
$258,000 to $394,000. 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.
Why this differs from the estimate above. The Orbyt estimate of $303,000 is 73% higher than this published figure. That is usually not an error in either number: BLS reports by occupation code, and Computer and Information Systems Managers covers a different population than the VP of AI Engineering title as it is typically advertised. Both are shown, unreconciled, so you can judge which one describes the job you mean.
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 VP of AI Engineeringspecifically. 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
$413,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$316,000
Phoenix, AZ
Lowest Paying
$227,000
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 VP of AI Engineering salary in the United States at $303,000 in 2026, within a range of $258,000 to $394,000. 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 Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $413,000, while Phoenix offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Team size is the strongest predictor, with VPs managing 50 or more AI engineers earning 20 to 30% more than those leading smaller teams.
VP of AI Engineering salary by city.
Skills that increase VP of AI Engineering pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for VP of AI Engineerings based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $42,420 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$42,420 per year
≈ +$39,390 per year
≈ +$36,360 per year
≈ +$33,330 per year
≈ +$33,330 per year
≈ +$30,300 per year
≈ +$30,300 per year
≈ +$27,270 per year
What you should know.
Team size is the strongest predictor, with VPs managing 50 or more AI engineers earning 20 to 30% more than those leading smaller teams. Companies with production AI systems generating direct revenue pay significantly more than those in research phases. Geographic market and funding stage also play major roles.
Senior AI engineering managers earning $180,000 to $230,000 advance to this VP role at $200,000 to $345,000 base. The next step is SVP of Engineering at $250,000 to $380,000 or Chief AI Officer roles. Some VPs transition to founding AI startups with significant equity upside.
Total packages range from $450,000 to $900,000 including equity refreshers, annual bonuses of 30 to 50% of base, and signing bonuses of $50,000 to $150,000. RSU grants at public companies often represent 40 to 60% of total compensation.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote VP of AI Engineerings typically earn $288,000 (5% 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 VP of AI Engineering pay.
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