AI & ML Salary Calculator 2026
Explore realistic 2026 base salary ranges for 18 AI and machine learning roles — from ML Engineer to AI Safety Researcher. Select a role, level, and location to see your estimated pay range instantly.
Builds and ships machine learning models to production
Senior ML Engineer
Remote (US)
Low
$185k
Median
$225k
High
$275k
Salary range visualisation (base salary, USD)
Estimates reflect 2026 base salary (no equity, no bonus). Actual comp varies by company, negotiation, and years of experience.
2026 AI Salary Reference Table
Median base salaries in USD for Remote (US) positions. Use the calculator above to adjust for location.
| Role | Junior | Mid | Senior | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ML Engineer | $130k | $175k | $225k | $285k |
| LLM / GenAI Engineer | $145k | $195k | $245k | $310k |
| AI / Applied Researcher | $140k | $190k | $245k | $310k |
| Research Scientist | $150k | $205k | $270k | $345k |
| Data Scientist | $115k | $158k | $200k | $255k |
| MLOps Engineer | $125k | $170k | $215k | $270k |
| Applied Scientist | $145k | $195k | $255k | $320k |
| AI Product Manager | $125k | $168k | $210k | $260k |
| Prompt Engineer | $100k | $138k | $175k | $220k |
| Computer Vision Engineer | $130k | $178k | $230k | $290k |
| NLP Engineer | $132k | $180k | $232k | $292k |
| AI Infrastructure Engineer | $138k | $188k | $242k | $308k |
| Data Engineer | $108k | $148k | $188k | $242k |
| AI Solutions Engineer | $115k | $155k | $195k | $248k |
| Robotics ML Engineer | $138k | $188k | $242k | $305k |
| AI Safety Researcher | $158k | $215k | $280k | $360k |
| Forward Deployed Engineer | $132k | $178k | $230k | $288k |
| AI Designer | $95k | $130k | $168k | $215k |
Figures are median base salary (USD) for Remote (US). Actual compensation varies by company, negotiation, and years of experience. Data calibrated to Q1–Q2 2026 market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do AI engineers make in 2026?
AI engineers in the US earn between $110k and $380k+ in base salary depending on specialisation and seniority. Senior ML Engineers at top-tier companies average $225k base, while Staff LLM/GenAI Engineers at frontier labs can exceed $310k base before equity. San Francisco roles pay a ~15% premium over remote-US positions.
What is the highest-paying AI job in 2026?
AI Safety Researchers and Research Scientists at the Staff level command the highest base salaries — typically $345k–$435k — reflecting intense competition for a small pool of PhDs with publication records at frontier labs like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind.
How does location affect AI salary?
Location has a significant impact. San Francisco roles offer roughly 15% more than the US remote baseline, while New York adds 10% and Seattle 8%. International markets differ dramatically: London is ~75% of US Remote, Berlin ~70%, Toronto ~78%, Singapore ~80%, and Bangalore/India ~30% for locally-benchmarked roles.
Do AI salary figures include equity and bonus?
No — these figures are base salary only. At senior levels, total compensation can be 1.5x–3x base once you include RSU vesting schedules and annual performance bonuses. Frontier AI labs often grant significant equity upside. Always evaluate total comp (TC), not just base.
Is a Prompt Engineer a real job in 2026?
Yes, though the title is evolving. At Senior level, Prompt Engineers earn $145k–$215k base and are responsible for evaluation harnesses, few-shot design, and red-teaming. Many companies fold this into ML Engineer or AI Product roles at Staff level.
How should I use this salary data in negotiations?
Use the median as your anchor, quote the high-end if you have competing offers, and always research company-specific bands on Levels.fyi and Glassdoor. AI compensation moves fast — these figures are calibrated to early-2026 market conditions.
Methodology
Salary data is sourced from aggregated compensation reports on Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary Insights, and Blind, cross-referenced with recruiter disclosures and job postings on AILLMJobs. Location multipliers reflect cost-of-labour differentials between markets. All figures represent base salary only and exclude equity (RSUs/options), signing bonuses, and annual performance bonuses. Data is updated periodically; last calibration Q1–Q2 2026.
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