AI Program Manager.
Minneapolis.
$176,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$134,000 to $231,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median AI Program Manager salary in Minneapolis is $176,000, 5% above the national average. Entry level starts near $134,000. Experienced professionals push past $231,000. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $159,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$114,000
to $141,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$150,000
to $185,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$194,000
to $229,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$220,000
to $273,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $87,000 to the total package.
Base
$176,000
Equity
$53,000
Bonus
$23,000
Signing
$11,000
Estimated total: $263,000
How Minneapolis compares
Minneapolis, MN
$176,000
Cost of living: 5% above average
National Average
$168,000
Minneapolis is $8,000 above
AI Program Manager salary by city
Salary by role in Minneapolis
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI Program Manager offer in Minneapolis, understand the terrain. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. The city's strong corporate base creates consistent demand across finance, healthcare, retail tech, and supply chain roles. Quality of life is high, and employers offer competitive salaries to offset the cold winters. Salary scales with portfolio size managed and the strategic importance of AI programs overseen. Program managers coordinating cross-functional AI initiatives spanning research, engineering, and product teams earn top compensation. PMP or agile certifications combined with ML domain knowledge drive offers above median.
Junior AI project managers start at $108,000 to $128,000 managing individual workstreams. Mid-level program managers overseeing multiple AI projects earn $148,000 to $168,000. Senior program directors managing enterprise AI portfolios reach $195,000 to $220,000, with VPs at $260,000 to $320,000. In Minneapolis, 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. Bonuses of 15 to 22% are standard, often tied to program milestone delivery and budget adherence. RSUs at tech companies add significant value, with four-year grants typically worth 20 to 40% of cumulative base salary. And on the tax side: minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85%, one of the highest state rates. There is no city income tax in Minneapolis, but the state burden significantly reduces take home pay. When someone quotes you $176,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize retention risk when negotiating. Minneapolis employers know that remote opportunities from warmer, lower tax states are a constant competitive threat. The range for AI Program Managers in Minneapolis runs from $134,000 to $231,000. 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 Product Manager in Minneapolis earns $177,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Minneapolis is Chief AI Officer at $329,000
Common questions.
AI Program Manager salary in other cities
Other salaries in Minneapolis
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