AI jobs will be secure in the future, with fresh and long-term opportunities for AI engineers, scientists, machine learning developers, data scientists, and others. According to predictions, 133 million new AI job positions will be held by 2024.

According to World Economic Forum (WEF) research, AI will consume 75 million jobs, leaving a net growth of 58 million. Because AI is seen as a critical industry for the future, the United States intends to expand public expenditure on artificial intelligence jobs significantly. AI job spending in the United States will be $1.49 billion in 2021.

An independent research tank has proposed a $25 billion increase. But what are the finest AI jobs, and where will the highest-paying jobs emerge? And if you are looking for AI engineer jobs, how much can you earn in different states? For example, what is the AI engineer’s salary in California?

In this blog, we will discover all about that and many more. So, let’s get started!

Top States for AI Jobs In the USA

According to a 2020 Poker.org survey of Indeed.com data, the highest-paying AI engineer jobs will be concentrated in states with dense populations, such as California, New York, and Texas. Big tech companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Apple are hiring AI developers, as are car companies like Ford, Tesla & the United States government.

The following are the best states for artificial intelligence jobs:

  • California
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Massachusetts
  • New York City
  • Texas

best states for artificial intelligence jobs in USA

What is the importance of those states? Because they are the US states with the most tech companies, the most robust educational programs for AI career preparation, and the most aggressive government investment in these new jobs. California, for example, is home to Apple, Intuit, Cisco Systems, and dozens of other tech behemoths.

  • California – California, with Silicon Valley and leading tech schools such as Stanford and Berkeley within its borders, is poised to lead the way in AI engineer jobs. The state has over 1,500 AI programming roles and other positions available at companies such as Google and Roku, with more regularly added. San Francisco and Santa Clara County are at the forefront, with California’s highest  AI engineer salary.
  • Virginia – The recent establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII) in Virginia places the state at the forefront of the United States’ AI employment story. The Dulles Tech Corridor’s thriving tech industry sweetens the deal. There are currently 843 AI engineer jobs and other positions available in the state at companies such as Amazon and Anthem, most of which are in Arlington.
  • Washington – Washington has 592 artificial intelligence jobs, with 413 in Seattle. Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Deloitte, and Facebook are all hiring for artificial intelligence positions in Washington.
  • Massachusetts – There are 573 AI jobs in Massachusetts, with slightly more than half paying six figures. AI software engineer jobs in Massachusetts, chief AI officer jobs, and AI developer jobs are available at companies such as Amazon, IBM, Raytheon, and Deloitte, as well as universities such as M.I.T.
  • New York City – The Empire State has 562 AI jobs and is still growing. 379 AI engineering, research scientist, and data scientist jobs are available at Nationwide, Google, Bloomberg, Samsung, and BoA.
  • Texas – Texas is poised to be a leader in the AI field, with 447 artificial intelligence careers available today and 83 entry-level AI positions. The Texas Department of Insurance is experimenting with AI to review public policy. Look for AI engineer and AI scientist positions at Microsoft, Deloitte, and Halliburton.

How Much is the AI Engineer Salary In California?

Where you live can also impact how much money you make as an AI engineer. Working for companies headquartered in major cities such as New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Boston, and Chicago generally equates to a higher salary. It’s because the cost of living in those areas is higher.

Employers may offer location-based salaries as they continue to employ a geographically dispersed workforce that includes remote workers. However, location-based pay can be considered unfair because these salaries must also account for merit and experience. Regarding high pay, the AI engineer’s salary in California is the highest.

California has nearly twice as many AI jobs as any other state. There are 351 entry-level AI jobs in California and 148 remote (work-from-home) jobs. Not surprisingly, 577 people in California conduct a Google search for AI career terms each month, making its residents the most interested in these positions.

The state has the world’s fifth-largest economy, narrowly beating out the United Kingdom. Services, finance, insurance, real estate, trade, and manufacturing are the foundations of its economy. Many of those economic areas are impacted by technology, with the most jobs concentrated in San Francisco, the Central Valley, and Southern California.

As Talent.com puts it, California’s average artificial intelligence salary is $160,000 annually or $76.92 per hour. Entry-level salaries begin at $109,415 annually, with most experienced workers earning up to $203,625 annually.


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However, according to Glassdoor, the average salary for an AI Engineer in California is $1,65,698 annually. In California, the average additional cash compensation for an AI Engineer is $29,007, ranging from $21,756 to $40,610.

As of November 27, 2023, California’s average AI Engineer salary is $114,744, but the range typically falls between $104,885 and $125,210.


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Tech Giants for AI Engineers across the US

The popularity of AI has entered the hiring industry competitively, pushing it beyond the commercial landscape. The following are the top businesses or Moghuls leading the AI employment market and filling AI talent. These organizations’ monthly artificial intelligence salary will vary depending on the employers’ location.

  1. Google

As one of the leading digital behemoths, Google is driving AI development and has been a major employer of AI specialists. Google frequently seeks candidates with experience in NLP, Deep Learning, and Machine Learning, key components of Artificial Intelligence.

  1. IBM

Another market tech behemoth, IBM, has been at the forefront of AI research and product development. Like any other tech behemoth, IBM hires AI experts with Deep Learning, Machine Learning, and data science backgrounds.

  1. Facebook

One of the most popular and dominant social media networking sites/companies is known to be making inroads into the world of AI. Its user service offerings heavily rely on AI, resulting in a high demand for AI specialists. Facebook is looking for candidates well-versed in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

  1. Amazon

Amazon is looking for AI engineers with expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning to stay competitive in the AI race.

  1. Apple

The Cupertino-based tech behemoth constantly hires candidates for machine learning and artificial intelligence positions. While skills, experience, and qualifications all impact the artificial intelligence salary per month, there are numerous ways to increase your earnings. AI experts constantly learn and update their skills to keep up with the technological race.

Professionals or aspirants can increase their AI engineer salary in California per month or their average yearly income by taking a few important steps. The first and most important step is to prioritize learning in-demand skills.

Numerous certification courses are available to meet this specific need for AI engineers.  It is the most effective method for learning trending skills and tools. The final step is to assume leadership or management positions in your current organization.

Tips for earning more

Your experience level is one of the most important factors influencing your salary. It stands to reason: the more experience you have as an AI engineer, the more expertise you have and the more you can expect to earn.

According to Glassdoor, the following factors can influence your AI engineer salary:

  • $106,894 for 2 to 4 years (AI Engineer or Senior AI Engineer)
  • $128,396 for 5 to 7 years (Lead AI Engineer)
  • $145,503 for 8+ years (Principal Machine Learning Engineer)
  • $172,715 for 8+ years (Vice President of Machine Learning)

Taking on leadership roles in ML or AI, such as director or vice president, can increase your salary by tens of thousands of dollars. Now, assume you’re an AI engineer with a few years of experience. Here are a few ideas to help you increase your earning potential:

  1. Get a master’s degree:

While a master’s degree is not required to land an AI engineer role (or work your way up to one), approximately 17% of AI engineers or specialists do. In comparison, 63 percent have a bachelor’s degree. Because you’ll have a solid credential and knowledge to back up your work experience, a master’s degree can help you negotiate a higher salary.

  1. Improve your technical skills:

There is always more to learn in AI and machine learning. Maintaining technical skills, particularly updated tools and systems, and expanding your repertoire of algorithm and modeling techniques can help you earn more. Drilling down into a specific industry can also help you earn more money.

  1. Negotiating:

Negotiating: One of job seekers’ most common mistakes is failing to negotiate or negotiate their full earning potential. According to Forbes, 70% of managers expect negotiation when making a job offer but do not state that the offer is flexible. If you do not negotiate, the wage gap will grow, preventing you from reaching your full earning potential.

However, if you prefer to focus on your expertise rather than team management, you can earn more by switching companies or negotiating a higher salary by portraying your value.

Wrapping Up

AI engineer jobs are rapidly expanding, with thousands of new AI jobs opening up across the country, particularly with high AI engineer salaries in California, Virginia, New York, Texas, and Washington.

With the right skills, experience, and networking, you can position yourself to earn competitive earnings while also advancing your career as an AI engineer. As a result, passing the appropriate certification examination and acquiring the necessary knowledge and experience can guarantee a successful career.

To get started, look at some AI tutorials, which will offer additional technical information about AI. A basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence course is a wonderful place to start if you’re new to AI. So, gear up and start applying for jobs in AI at AI Careers!

About the Author: Ravi Soni

Hello! I'm Ravi Soni, the mind behind AI Careers, your go-to hub for finding the best AI job opportunities. My journey into the digital world has been driven by a passion for AI and SEO. Over the past ten years, I've focused on leveraging SEO strategies to boost online visibility and engagement, especially in the tech industry. Before diving into AI Careers, I contributed to the growth of several tech firms, helping them connect with their audience through smart and effective SEO and Link Building campaigns. Now, I'm all about connecting skilled professionals with exciting careers in AI, helping to shape the future of technology. When I'm not busy growing AI Careers, I love to share my knowledge by teaching digital skills to up-and-coming tech enthusiasts. Let's connect! Drop me a message on LinkedIn, whether you're looking for a new opportunity in AI or just want to chat about the latest in tech and SEO.