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Software Engineer

Q: What is the average Software Engineer salary at an AI startup?

The median pay for a Software Engineer at an AI-native startup is $155K, with a range of $129K to $193K based on 6,731 public job postings collected in 2025–2026.

Software Engineers at high-growth companies earn $129K–$193K. Median: $155K. Based on 6,731 public job postings (2025–2026).

💰 $129K–$193K salary range

Median: $155K · Based on 6,731 public job postings · Updated July 1, 2026

Building, optimizing, and deploying the core machine learning models and infrastructure for cutting-edge AI-native products is the primary focus of this engineering function. Professionals in this space command a salary range of $145K–$230K, with a median of $177K, based on an analysis of 1,235 recent job postings. Top compensation is often awarded to candidates demonstrating advanced proficiency in MLOps practices, expertise with leading deep learning frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow, and proven experience in developing scalable data pipelines. This role demands a strong understanding of both software engineering principles and machine learning fundamentals, ensuring robust and efficient AI system development. Success hinges on a capacity for innovation and the ability to translate research into production-ready solutions.

📊 Salary breakdown

Software Engineer salary by location

All locations: $155K median ($129K–$193K typical range)
San Francisco: $200K median, $170K–$240K range (+29% vs. national)
New York: $192K median, $160K–$225K range (+24% vs. national)
Seattle: $144K median, $136K–$144K range (-7% vs. national)
Remote: $175K median, $145K–$205K range (+13% vs. national)
Los Angeles: $143K median, $132K–$175K range (-8% vs. national)
Austin: $144K median, $117K–$159K range (-7% vs. national)
Boston: $144K median, $130K–$170K range (-7% vs. national)
Denver: $129K median, $110K–$150K range (-17% vs. national)

Highest paying companies

San Francisco

Thinking Machines Lab: $413K median
Y Combinator: $375K median
Variance: $325K median
Mercor: $315K median
Sierra AI: $310K median
Airtable: $276K median

New York

Legora (formerly Leya): $275K median
Moment: $263K median
Ramp: $252K median
Celonis: $252K median
Jane Street: $250K median
Blacksmith: $250K median

Based on companies with 3+ active postings. Median of publicly advertised salary range.

What's typically included

Health insurance: 77% of postings
Equity (RSU/options): 70% of postings
Flexible PTO: 53% of postings
Parental leave: 32% of postings
Learning/education budget: 8% of postings
Visa sponsorship: 2% of postings

Typical experience required: 4–6 years.

Engineering salaries by seniority

What does a Software Engineer do?

Software Engineers are engineers who design, build, and operate the core software systems. This benchmark reflects Mid-level base compensation at high-growth and AI-native companies.

Common questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary at an AI startup?
The median pay is $155K, with a typical range of $129K–$193K, based on 6,731 public job postings collected in 2025–2026.

How does Software Engineer pay compare in San Francisco vs. remote?
San Francisco roles pay a median of $200K, while fully-remote roles pay $175K.

What is the Software Engineer salary in San Francisco?
San Francisco Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $200K, with a typical range of $170K–$240K (25th–75th percentile). That's 29% above the $155K US national median. Based on 870 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in New York?
New York Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $192K, with a typical range of $160K–$225K (25th–75th percentile). That's 24% above the $155K US national median. 4% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 628 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in Seattle?
Seattle Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $144K, with a typical range of $136K–$144K (25th–75th percentile). That's 7% below the $155K US national median. 28% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 436 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in Remote?
Remote Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $175K, with a typical range of $145K–$205K (25th–75th percentile). That's 13% above the $155K US national median. 13% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 265 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $143K, with a typical range of $132K–$175K (25th–75th percentile). That's 8% below the $155K US national median. 28% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 150 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in Austin?
Austin Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $144K, with a typical range of $117K–$159K (25th–75th percentile). That's 7% below the $155K US national median. 28% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 125 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in Boston?
Boston Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $144K, with a typical range of $130K–$170K (25th–75th percentile). That's 7% below the $155K US national median. 28% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 94 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in Denver?
Denver Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $129K, with a typical range of $110K–$150K (25th–75th percentile). That's 17% below the $155K US national median. 35% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 91 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

Where does this salary data come from?
It is aggregated from public job postings on company career pages — no private placement or client data. We require a minimum of 15 postings per role.

Methodology

Figures are the midpoint of each posting's advertised USD salary range, aggregated from 6,731 public job postings (2025–2026). The range shown is the 25th–75th percentile; the median is the 50th percentile. Equity is separate and not included; where a posting's range reflects on-target earnings (OTE) for commission roles, that is included in the midpoint. Roles require at least 15 postings to be published. Last refreshed July 1, 2026.

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