Artificial Intelligence is not just a buzzword—it’s now a core function across industries. From automated recommendation engines and computer vision to large language models and edge inference systems, AI engineers are in high demand. For those entering the field, the good news is clear: entry-level AI engineering salaries are among the highest in tech.
Whether you’re coming from a computer science background, completing a specialized AI bootcamp, or transitioning from another technical role, understanding your salary expectations is critical. This article walks you through how much you can expect to earn as a beginner AI engineer, what factors affect compensation, and how to position yourself for the best possible offer.
What Does an Entry-Level AI Engineer Do?
Before we talk numbers, it’s important to define the role. An entry-level AI engineer is typically responsible for tasks such as:
Building and testing machine learning models
Writing data pipelines and cleaning datasets
Deploying models into production environments
Evaluating model performance using metrics like accuracy, precision, recall, or F1 score
Working with frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn
Collaborating with data scientists and software engineers
These professionals may be hired under various titles: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Developer, Data Engineer (AI focus), or Applied Scientist (Junior).
Average Entry-Level AI Engineer Salary (2025 Estimates)
United States
Average base salary: $95,000 – $120,000/year
Top cities:
San Francisco: $115,000 – $135,000
Seattle: $110,000 – $130,000
Austin: $95,000 – $115,000
With bonuses/equity: Total compensation may reach $130K–$160K in competitive roles
United Kingdom
London average: £42,000 – £55,000
Rest of UK: £35,000 – £45,000
Canada
Toronto/Vancouver: CA$75,000 – CA$95,000
Rest of Canada: CA$60,000 – CA$80,000
India
Bangalore/Hyderabad: ₹10 – ₹20 LPA (Lakhs per annum)
Tier 2 cities: ₹6 – ₹10 LPA
Remote Global Roles (International Startups & Enterprises)
Salary range: $80,000 – $110,000 (USD equivalent), depending on location and company
Factors That Influence Entry-Level AI Salaries
Several key variables influence how much you’ll earn in your first AI job:
1. Educational Background
A bachelor’s in CS, engineering, or applied math is common.
Master’s or PhD degrees can significantly boost initial offers—especially in research-oriented roles.
2. Portfolio and Projects
Employers want proof of your practical skills. Projects that demonstrate model deployment, data handling, or fine-tuning pre-trained models carry weight.
Kaggle rankings, GitHub repos, and open-source contributions help differentiate you.
3. Internships and Apprenticeships
Candidates with virtual internships or applied AI bootcamp experience often command better offers due to real-world familiarity.
4. Company Size and Stage
Big Tech (Google, Meta, Microsoft): Higher base + generous stock options
Mid-size startups: Competitive salary + equity + rapid career growth
AI-focused startups: Moderate base, high potential upside with growth equity
5. Location and Cost of Living
Urban tech hubs like SF, London, and Berlin pay more—but also come with higher costs.
Remote-first companies may offer location-adjusted or flat-rate salaries.
Skills That Maximize Entry-Level Salary Offers
Employers value more than just academic credentials. Here’s what moves the needle:
Programming proficiency: Python, NumPy, Pandas, PyTorch, TensorFlow
Version control: Git/GitHub familiarity is non-negotiable
Data pipeline tools: Knowledge of Airflow, Spark, or SQL-based ETL workflows
Deployment experience: Docker, Kubernetes, Flask, FastAPI for serving models
Model ops awareness: Knowing the basics of monitoring, A/B testing, and model retraining pipelines
Prompt engineering and LLM fine-tuning: Increasingly valued in GenAI-focused roles
How Entry-Level AI Salaries Compare to Other Roles
Role | US Average Salary (Entry-Level) |
|---|---|
AI Engineer | $100,000 – $120,000 |
Software Engineer | $85,000 – $105,000 |
Data Scientist | $90,000 – $110,000 |
DevOps Engineer | $80,000 – $100,000 |
Cloud Engineer | $95,000 – $115,000 |
AI engineering typically earns 10–20% more than general software development due to its specialized nature and high demand.
Common Benefits in Entry-Level AI Roles
Compensation isn’t limited to salary. Many AI roles include benefits such as:
Equity grants or stock options
Remote work flexibility
Learning and development stipends
Conference and certification reimbursements
Paid AI research or hackathon time
Hardware and cloud credits for experimentation
These perks can add substantial value, especially in early-stage companies or roles within R&D divisions.
Realistic Expectations vs. Top-Tier Offers
While it's tempting to fixate on six-figure offers from FAANG or elite startups, most entry-level roles fall into a realistic middle band:
$85K–$100K in mid-market companies
$95K–$120K in major tech hubs or top employers
$70K–$90K for hybrid roles with lighter ML involvement
If your first role lands below $90K in the US or the equivalent abroad, it’s not a failure—it’s a starting point for fast growth. AI engineers often see rapid salary progression in their first 2–3 years.
How to Negotiate Your First AI Engineer Salary
Entry-level candidates often underestimate their negotiation power. Here are practical tips:
Research local benchmarks using platforms like Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Hired.
Quantify your project impact: "Built a recommendation model that improved accuracy by 12%" is better than "Worked on a model."
Don’t share your number first: Let the employer provide a range.
Negotiate benefits even if base pay is non-negotiable.
Be prepared to walk—especially if you have other offers or are in high demand.
Final Thoughts: AI Engineering Is a High-Growth, High-Reward Career Start
An entry-level role in AI engineering offers not just a high salary, but access to some of the most innovative work in tech. Whether you’re helping a logistics company optimize routes, fine-tuning a language model for legal documents, or automating healthcare diagnostics, the impact is real—and the compensation reflects it.
The key to maximizing your first offer isn’t just waiting for a dream job—it’s building demonstrable skills, understanding market rates, and negotiating with confidence.
If you’re entering the AI field in 2025, you’re in one of the best markets to grow fast, learn deeply, and earn competitively right from day one.
FAQs
Do I need a master’s degree to earn a high AI starting salary?
No. While advanced degrees help in research roles, many AI engineers earn six-figure salaries with a bachelor’s degree plus practical experience.
What’s the difference between an AI engineer and a data scientist at entry level?
AI engineers focus more on model building, deployment, and software integration. Data scientists are more analysis-focused. AI roles often pay slightly higher at entry level due to engineering requirements.
Are remote AI engineering jobs paid less?
It depends on the company. Some use location-based compensation, while others pay a flat rate. High-skill candidates often still earn strong offers remotely.
How fast does salary grow after the first AI job?
Many AI engineers see 20–30% increases within 1–2 years, especially if they develop model deployment skills, learn MLOps, or take on ownership of features.
Where can I get job-ready for entry-level AI roles?
Courses focused on real-world projects, model deployment, and tooling like Git, Docker, and MLFlow prepare you best. Refonte Learning’s hands-on AI engineering curriculum is designed exactly for this purpose.