Pay by Role
United Kingdom · Salary comparison

AI Engineer vs Backend Developer salary

In United Kingdom, a ai engineer earns about 6% more than a backend developer $133,737 vs $126,374 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is GBP). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Technology
AI Engineer
$133,737/yr
Monthly
$11,111
Hourly
$64
Range
$79,519$200,003
10-yr outlook
+40%
Technology
Backend Developer
$126,374/yr
Monthly
$10,576
Hourly
$60
Range
$80,858$181,930
10-yr outlook
+16%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAI EngineerBackend Developer
Entry (10th)$79,519$80,858
25th$106,695$103,616
Median$133,737$126,374
75th$166,803$154,219
Senior (90th)$200,003$181,930

National United Kingdom figures in GBP. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a ai engineer or backend developer earn more in United Kingdom?
A ai engineer earns more, at about £99,900 per year vs £94,400 for a backend developer — roughly 6% (£5,500) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
A ai engineer typically earns £59,400–£149,400, while a backend developer earns £60,400–£135,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United Kingdom?
On a monthly basis before tax, a ai engineer averages about £8,300 and a backend developer about £7,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a ai engineer earns about £59,400 while a backend developer earns about £60,400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a ai engineer earns about £149,400 while a backend developer earns about £135,900 per year.
Are ai engineer and backend developer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.