AI Operations Research Engineer Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$150,000
national median salary
$115,000 to $190,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$203,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$156,000
Jersey City, NJ
Lowest Paying
$117,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average AI Operations Research Engineer salary in the United States is $150,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $115,000 at the 25th percentile to $190,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $203,000, while Jersey City offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Compensation reflects the combination of optimization expertise and ML engineering.
AI Operations Research Engineer salary by city
Skills that increase AI Operations Research Engineer pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for AI Operations Research Engineers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $21,000 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$21,000 per year
≈ +$19,500 per year
≈ +$18,000 per year
≈ +$16,500 per year
≈ +$15,000 per year
≈ +$15,000 per year
≈ +$15,000 per year
≈ +$13,500 per year
What you should know
Compensation reflects the combination of optimization expertise and ML engineering. Engineers who can solve complex scheduling, routing, and resource allocation problems using hybrid AI/OR approaches earn premiums. Experience integrating ML-based prediction with mathematical optimization for real-time decision-making is the most valued skill combination.
Junior OR engineers start at $100,000 to $120,000. Mid-level engineers building production optimization systems reach $140,000 to $168,000. Senior engineers designing enterprise optimization platforms earn $178,000 to $220,000. Directors of optimization at logistics or tech companies can reach $240,000 to $300,000.
Performance bonuses of 12% to 20% tied to optimization outcome improvements are common. Equity at logistics and operations AI companies adds $20,000 to $60,000 annually. Benefits include computing resource access and INFORMS or similar professional society memberships.