AI Knowledge Engineer.
Austin.
$142,000
median salary, 3% above the national average
$108,000 to $180,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what AI Knowledge Engineers actually make in Austin: $108,000 at the 25th percentile, $142,000 at the median, and $180,000 at the 75th. That is 3% above the national average. Austin has transformed into one of America's fastest growing tech hubs, attracting relocations from Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $128,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$92,000
to $114,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$121,000
to $149,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$156,000
to $185,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$178,000
to $220,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $68,000 to the total package.
Base
$142,000
Equity
$41,000
Bonus
$18,000
Signing
$9,000
Estimated total: $210,000
How Austin compares
Austin, TX
$142,000
Cost of living: 3% above average
National Average
$138,000
Austin is $4,000 above
AI Knowledge Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Austin
What you should know
If you are interviewing for AI Knowledge Engineer roles in Austin, here is what you are walking into. Austin has transformed into one of America's fastest growing tech hubs, attracting relocations from Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung. The city's combination of no state income tax, a vibrant startup scene, and a strong university pipeline makes it highly competitive. Salaries have risen sharply over the past five years, narrowing the gap with coastal cities. Compensation reflects expertise in designing knowledge representation systems that enhance AI reasoning. Engineers who can build ontologies, knowledge graphs, and structured data pipelines that improve LLM accuracy earn premiums. Experience combining symbolic AI approaches with neural methods is a rare and valued skill. Domain expertise in specific knowledge domains adds 10% to 15%.
Junior knowledge engineers start at $90,000 to $110,000. Mid-level engineers building production knowledge graph systems reach $130,000 to $155,000. Senior engineers designing enterprise knowledge architectures earn $165,000 to $200,000. Directors of AI knowledge systems can reach $220,000 to $270,000 in total compensation. In Austin, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at enterprise AI companies adds $15,000 to $55,000 annually. Bonuses of 10% to 15% are standard. Benefits include conference attendance at knowledge management and AI events, and research collaboration opportunities with academic partners. And on the tax side: texas has no state income tax, which can mean 5 to 10% more take home pay compared to California roles. Property taxes are above average, however, running about 1.8% of home value. When someone quotes you $142,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Use the no income tax advantage as a negotiation lever. Ask employers to match 90% of a Bay Area offer and show that your net pay will actually be higher. The range for AI Knowledge Engineers in Austin runs from $108,000 to $180,000. 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 Product Manager in Austin earns $143,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Austin is Distinguished Engineer at $337,000
Common questions.
AI Knowledge Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Austin
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