AI Semiconductor Test Engineer Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$148,000
national median salary
$110,000 to $188,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$206,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$154,000
San Diego, CA
Lowest Paying
$115,000
Jackson, MS
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 Semiconductor Test Engineer salary in the United States is $148,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $110,000 at the 25th percentile to $188,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $206,000, while San Diego offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Compensation reflects the intersection of semiconductor test engineering and AI workload understanding.
AI Semiconductor Test Engineer salary by city
Skills that increase AI Semiconductor Test Engineer pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for AI Semiconductor Test Engineers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $20,720 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$20,720 per year
≈ +$19,240 per year
≈ +$17,760 per year
≈ +$16,280 per year
≈ +$14,800 per year
≈ +$14,800 per year
≈ +$14,800 per year
≈ +$13,320 per year
What you should know
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.
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.