AI Semiconductor Test Engineer.
San Antonio.
$131,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$97,000 to $166,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median AI Semiconductor Test Engineer salary in San Antonio is $131,000, 11% below the national average. Entry level starts near $97,000. Experienced professionals push past $166,000. San Antonio has a major military presence with Joint Base San Antonio and a growing cybersecurity hub. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $118,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$85,000
to $105,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$111,000
to $138,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$144,000
to $170,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$164,000
to $203,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $67,000 to the total package.
Base
$131,000
Equity
$41,000
Bonus
$18,000
Signing
$8,000
Estimated total: $198,000
How San Antonio compares
San Antonio, TX
$131,000
Cost of living: 9% below average
National Average
$148,000
San Antonio is $17,000 below
AI Semiconductor Test Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in San Antonio
What you should know
If you are interviewing for AI Semiconductor Test Engineer roles in San Antonio, here is what you are walking into. San Antonio has a major military presence with Joint Base San Antonio and a growing cybersecurity hub. The city is home to USAA headquarters and a cluster of healthcare systems. The extremely affordable cost of living and no state income tax make it attractive for professionals seeking purchasing power. Compensation reflects the intersection of semiconductor test engineering and AI workload understanding. Engineers who can design test suites for AI accelerator chips, validate inference accuracy, and optimize production testing yield earn premiums. Experience with both digital test methodology and understanding of neural network computation is the key differentiator.
Junior test engineers start at $95,000 to $115,000. Mid-level engineers designing AI accelerator test programs reach $138,000 to $168,000. Senior engineers leading test strategy for AI chip products earn $175,000 to $215,000. Directors of test engineering at AI chip companies can reach $230,000 to $290,000. In San Antonio, 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 AI chip companies adds $20,000 to $70,000 annually. Bonuses of 12% to 18% are standard. Benefits include access to advanced test equipment and labs, continuing education in both semiconductor and AI domains, and patent filing incentives. And on the tax side: texas has no state income tax. San Antonio has no city income tax. The zero tax environment and very affordable housing create exceptional purchasing power relative to most metros. When someone quotes you $131,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage the cybersecurity corridor. San Antonio's NSA facility and military cyber operations drive demand for cleared security professionals at premium rates. The range for AI Semiconductor Test Engineers in San Antonio runs from $97,000 to $166,000. 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 Prompt Engineer in San Antonio earns $130,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in San Antonio is Distinguished Engineer at $303,000
Common questions.
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