AI Data Governance Manager.
Wichita.
$145,000
median salary, 17% below the national average
$108,000 to $186,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
AI Data Governance Manager pay in Wichita ranges from $108,000 to $186,000 in 2026. The median is $145,000, 17% below the national average. Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $131,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$94,000
to $116,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$123,000
to $152,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$160,000
to $189,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$181,000
to $225,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $63,000 to the total package.
Base
$145,000
Equity
$38,000
Bonus
$16,000
Signing
$9,000
Estimated total: $208,000
How Wichita compares
Wichita, KS
$145,000
Cost of living: 18% below average
National Average
$175,000
Wichita is $30,000 below
AI Data Governance Manager salary by city
Salary by role in Wichita
What you should know
If you are interviewing for AI Data Governance Manager roles in Wichita, here is what you are walking into. Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. The city's engineering talent pool is deep, and the extremely low cost of living means aerospace salaries deliver exceptional purchasing power. Expertise in managing data quality, lineage, and compliance specifically for AI training and inference pipelines drives compensation. Managers who can implement governance frameworks spanning data collection, labeling, storage, and model deployment are highly valued. Experience with privacy regulations affecting AI data use and cross border data transfer rules adds premiums.
Junior data governance analysts start at $95,000 to $130,000. Mid level managers with AI data pipeline experience earn $155,000 to $195,000. Senior managers reach $195,000 to $245,000. Directors of AI data governance at large enterprises can exceed $300,000 in total compensation. In Wichita, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 18% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Bonuses of 15 to 25% are standard at enterprise technology companies. Equity grants add 10 to 25% of total compensation. Signing bonuses of $15,000 to $40,000 are common. Benefits often include compliance certification funding and professional conference attendance. And on the tax side: kansas has a top income tax rate of 5.7%. Wichita has no city income tax. The moderate state rate combined with very low housing costs creates strong net pay. When someone quotes you $145,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight aerospace engineering expertise. Wichita manufacturers pay competitive national rates for specialized aviation and defense engineering talent. The range for AI Data Governance Managers in Wichita runs from $108,000 to $186,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Engineer in Wichita earns $146,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Wichita is Chief AI Officer at $264,000
Common questions.
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