Software Engineer

💰 $130K–$189K salary range

Median: $159K  ·  Based on 9,818 public job postings  ·  Updated October 17, 2026

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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: $159K median ($130K–$189K typical range)
• San Francisco: $200K median, $167K–$240K range (+26% vs. national)
• New York: $192K median, $170K–$230K range (+20% vs. national)
• Los Angeles: $140K median, $120K–$159K range (-12% vs. national)
• Denver: $145K median, $120K–$169K range (-9% vs. national)
• Dallas: $138K median, $128K–$159K range (-13% vs. national)
• San Diego: $203K median, $169K–$242K range (+27% vs. national)
• Austin: $191K median, $140K–$250K range (+20% vs. national)
• Boston: $135K median, $134K–$176K range (-15% vs. national)

Highest paying companies

San Francisco

• Y Combinator: $375K median
• Anthropic: $363K median
• Thinkingmachines: $350K median
• Mercor: $330K median
• Sierra AI: $310K median
• Monaco: $300K median

New York

• Mercor: $330K median
• Normal Computing: $300K median
• Moment: $300K median
• Rogo: $260K median
• Ramp: $253K median
• Jane Street: $250K median

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

What's typically included

• Health insurance: 73% of postings
• Equity (RSU/options): 73% of postings
• Flexible PTO: 57% of postings
• Parental leave: 37% of postings
• Learning/education budget: 9% of postings
• Visa sponsorship: 3% of postings

Typical experience required: 4–6 years.

Engineering salaries by seniority

• Junior Software Engineer: $100K
• Software Engineer: $159K
• Hardware Engineer: $170K
• Tech Lead: $176K
• Engineering Manager: $180K
• Senior Hardware Engineer: $187K
• Senior Software Engineer: $188K
• Infrastructure Engineer: $189K
• Senior Infrastructure Engineer: $193K
• Senior Embedded Engineer: $195K
• Senior Platform Engineer: $200K
• Founding Engineer: $200K
• Platform Engineer: $205K
• ASIC / Chip Design Engineer: $215K
• Staff Software Engineer: $225K
• Data Infrastructure Engineer: $238K
• Director of Engineering: $248K

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.

Government wage data

For corroboration, U.S. Department of Labor certified wage filings (FY2026) show a median of $160K for Software Engineer roles, ranging $137K–$187K, across 74,203 filings. This is reported separately from — never blended with — the job-posting median above.

Common questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary at an AI startup?
The median pay is $159K, with a typical range of $130K–$189K, based on 9,818 public job postings collected in 2025–2026.

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 $167K–$240K (25th–75th percentile). That's 26% above the $159K US national median. Based on 954 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 $170K–$230K (25th–75th percentile). That's 20% above the $159K US national median. 4% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 647 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 $140K, with a typical range of $120K–$159K (25th–75th percentile). That's 12% below the $159K US national median. 30% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 158 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in Denver?
Denver Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $145K, with a typical range of $120K–$169K (25th–75th percentile). That's 9% below the $159K US national median. 28% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 141 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 9,818 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 October 17, 2026.

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