Software Engineer

💰 $125K–$190K salary range

Median: $149K  ·  Based on 8,154 public job postings  ·  Updated September 10, 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: $149K median ($125K–$190K typical range)
• San Francisco: $200K median, $170K–$245K range (+34% vs. national)
• New York: $190K median, $158K–$230K range (+27% vs. national)
• Seattle: $144K median, $144K–$144K range (-4% vs. national)
• Austin: $144K median, $127K–$159K range (-4% vs. national)
• Los Angeles: $143K median, $125K–$165K range (-4% vs. national)
• Boston: $144K median, $115K–$159K range (-4% vs. national)
• Denver: $140K median, $114K–$158K range (-6% vs. national)
• San Diego: $137K median, $112K–$158K range (-8% vs. national)

Highest paying companies

San Francisco

• Thinkingmachines: $413K median
• Y Combinator: $375K median
• XOXO AI: $375K median
• Anthropic: $363K median
• Mercor: $315K median
• Sierra AI: $310K median

New York

• Percepta: $319K median
• Mercor: $315K median
• Normal Computing: $300K median
• Antimetal: $300K median
• Moment: $300K median
• Legora (formerly Leya): $275K median

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

What's typically included

• Health insurance: 78% of postings
• Equity (RSU/options): 74% of postings
• Flexible PTO: 62% of postings
• Parental leave: 40% 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: $99K
• Software Engineer: $149K
• Hardware Engineer: $157K
• Embedded Systems Engineer: $160K
• Data Infrastructure Engineer: $170K
• Senior Hardware Engineer: $171K
• Deployment Strategist: $175K
• Senior Software Engineer: $180K
• Senior Embedded Engineer: $180K
• Engineering Manager: $181K
• Infrastructure Engineer: $190K
• Senior Infrastructure Engineer: $190K
• Tech Lead: $195K
• Founding Engineer: $195K
• Senior Platform Engineer: $198K
• ASIC / Chip Design Engineer: $200K
• Founding PM: $200K
• Staff Software Engineer: $225K
• Director of Engineering: $244K

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–$190K, across 57,277 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 $149K, with a typical range of $125K–$190K, based on 8,154 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 $150K.

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–$245K (25th–75th percentile). That's 34% above the $149K US national median. Based on 913 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 $190K, with a typical range of $158K–$230K (25th–75th percentile). That's 27% above the $149K US national median. 5% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 717 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 $144K–$144K (25th–75th percentile). That's 4% below the $149K US national median. 28% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 623 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 $127K–$159K (25th–75th percentile). That's 4% below the $149K US national median. 28% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 198 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 $125K–$165K (25th–75th percentile). That's 4% below the $149K US national median. 28% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 170 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 $115K–$159K (25th–75th percentile). That's 4% below the $149K US national median. 28% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 113 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in Denver?
Denver Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $140K, with a typical range of $114K–$158K (25th–75th percentile). That's 6% below the $149K US national median. 30% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 97 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Software Engineer salary in San Diego?
San Diego Software Engineers at AI-native startups earn a median of $137K, with a typical range of $112K–$158K (25th–75th percentile). That's 8% below the $149K US national median. 31% below San Francisco's $200K. Based on 67 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 8,154 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 September 10, 2026.

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