AI Engineer vs QA Engineer salary
In United States, a ai engineer earns about 76% more than a qa engineer — $194,000 vs $110,000 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%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | AI Engineer | QA Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $115,400 | $74,400 |
| 25th | $154,700 | $92,200 |
| Median | $194,000 | $110,000 |
| 75th | $242,000 | $131,800 |
| Senior (90th) | $290,000 | $153,600 |
National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a ai engineer or qa engineer earn more in United States?
- A ai engineer earns more, at about $194,000 per year vs $110,000 for a qa engineer — roughly 76% ($84,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
- A ai engineer typically earns $115,400–$290,000, while a qa engineer earns $74,400–$153,600 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 qa engineer about $9,200.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United States, a ai engineer earns about $115,400 while a qa engineer earns about $74,400 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United States, a ai engineer earns about $290,000 while a qa engineer earns about $153,600 per year.
- Are ai engineer and qa engineer 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.