AI Technical Program Manager.
Richmond.
$194,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$152,000 to $247,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median AI Technical Program Manager salary in Richmond is $194,000, 5% above the national average. Entry level starts near $152,000. Experienced professionals push past $247,000. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $175,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$126,000
to $155,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$165,000
to $204,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$213,000
to $252,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$243,000
to $301,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $86,000 to the total package.
Base
$194,000
Equity
$52,000
Bonus
$22,000
Signing
$12,000
Estimated total: $280,000
How Richmond compares
Richmond, VA
$194,000
Cost of living: 1% above average
National Average
$185,000
Richmond is $9,000 above
AI Technical Program Manager salary by city
Salary by role in Richmond
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI Technical Program Manager offer in Richmond, understand the terrain. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Capital One's headquarters drives significant fintech employment. The city's proximity to Washington DC creates spillover demand for federal contractors and tech workers seeking lower living costs. Compensation depends on experience coordinating complex ML programs across research, engineering, and product teams. TPMs who have shipped large-scale AI systems with measurable business impact command the highest salaries. Understanding of ML development lifecycle, including data collection, training, evaluation, and deployment, drives 10 to 20% premiums.
Junior TPMs in AI teams start at $110,000 to $135,000. AI technical program managers earn $145,000 to $185,000. Senior TPMs reach $200,000 to $260,000, and directors of AI program management at top companies command $280,000 to $380,000 in total compensation. In Richmond, 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 at major tech companies. Equity packages add $40,000 to $100,000 annually at public companies, with potentially larger upside at AI startups approaching IPO. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Richmond has no city income tax. The moderate rate and reasonable cost of living create solid net compensation. When someone quotes you $194,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage DC corridor salary benchmarks. Richmond employers compete with Northern Virginia and DC for talent, especially in fintech and government contracting. The range for AI Technical Program Managers in Richmond runs from $152,000 to $247,000. 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 Security & Red Teaming Specialist in Richmond earns $193,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Richmond is Chief AI Officer at $316,000
Common questions.
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