💰 $122K–$202K salary range
Median: $145K · Based on 22 public job postings · Updated April 19, 2026
This leadership role is critical for architecting and maintaining the high-performance data infrastructure that underpins the training, deployment, and operationalization of machine learning models and AI products within high-growth companies. Compensation for this position typically ranges from $122K–$202K, with a median salary of $145K, derived from an analysis of 22 recent job postings. Professionals commanding top-tier salaries demonstrate expertise in building highly scalable distributed data processing systems (e.g., Apache Spark, Flink), possess deep proficiency in cloud-native data platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), and have a proven track record in developing MLOps and data governance frameworks tailored for AI workloads. This position is pivotal in ensuring data quality, accessibility, and lineage across complex AI lifecycles.
