Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

AI Engineer vs Full-Stack Developer salary

In United States, a ai engineer earns about 36% more than a full-stack developer — $194,000 vs $143,000 per year.

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

Pays more
Technology
AI Engineer
$194,000/yr
Monthly
$16,200
Hourly
$93
Range
$115,400–$290,000
10-yr outlook
+40%
Technology
Full-Stack Developer
$143,000/yr
Monthly
$11,900
Hourly
$69
Range
$91,500–$205,900
10-yr outlook
+17%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAI EngineerFull-Stack Developer
Entry (10th)$115,400$91,500
25th$154,700$117,300
Median$194,000$143,000
75th$242,000$174,500
Senior (90th)$290,000$205,900

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a ai engineer or full-stack developer earn more in United States?
A ai engineer earns more, at about $194,000 per year vs $143,000 for a full-stack developer — roughly 36% ($51,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A ai engineer typically earns $115,400–$290,000, while a full-stack developer earns $91,500–$205,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a ai engineer averages about $16,200 and a full-stack developer about $11,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a ai engineer earns about $115,400 while a full-stack developer earns about $91,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a ai engineer earns about $290,000 while a full-stack developer earns about $205,900 per year.
Are ai engineer and full-stack 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.