AI Risk Manager.
Houston.
$177,000
median salary, 1% above the national average
$136,000 to $227,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median AI Risk Manager salary in Houston is $177,000, 1% above the national average. Entry level starts near $136,000. Experienced professionals push past $227,000. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. 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)
$115,000
to $142,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$150,000
to $186,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$195,000
to $230,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$221,000
to $274,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $76,000 to the total package.
Base
$177,000
Equity
$46,000
Bonus
$19,000
Signing
$11,000
Estimated total: $253,000
How Houston compares
Houston, TX
$177,000
Cost of living: 3% below average
National Average
$175,000
Houston is $2,000 above
AI Risk Manager salary by city
Salary by role in Houston
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI Risk Manager offer in Houston, understand the terrain. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest, driving massive demand for clinical and research roles. Houston's low cost of living and no state income tax make it an attractive destination for professionals seeking strong purchasing power. Pay is driven by expertise in AI-specific risk frameworks, including model risk management, adversarial robustness, and deployment safety protocols. Managers with experience in regulated industries like banking or healthcare earn 15 to 20% more. Ability to quantify AI risk in financial terms is a key salary differentiator.
Junior AI risk analysts start at $95,000 to $120,000. AI risk managers earn $135,000 to $175,000. Senior risk managers reach $190,000 to $250,000, and chief AI risk officers or VP-level roles at financial institutions command $270,000 to $400,000 in total compensation. In Houston, 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. Annual bonuses of 15 to 25% are standard in financial services. Equity at AI companies adds $30,000 to $70,000 annually. Retention bonuses are common due to the scarcity of professionals combining risk management expertise with AI technical knowledge. And on the tax side: texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers strong take home pay. The city's overall cost of living is below the national average, further stretching your salary. When someone quotes you $177,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize industry specialization in energy or healthcare. Houston employers pay significant premiums for domain expertise in these sectors over generalist candidates. The range for AI Risk Managers in Houston runs from $136,000 to $227,000. 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 Generative AI Developer in Houston earns $178,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Houston is Chief AI Officer at $295,000
Common questions.
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