AI Threat Modeler.
San Antonio.
$169,000
median salary, 6% below the national average
$127,000 to $220,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
San Antonio is 9% cheaper than the national average. For AI Threat Modelers, that shakes out to a median of $169,000, with the full range spanning $127,000 to $220,000. Compensation is driven by expertise in identifying attack surfaces unique to AI systems and ability to design comprehensive threat models spanning data, models, and infrastructure. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $152,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$110,000
to $135,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$144,000
to $177,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$186,000
to $220,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$211,000
to $262,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $80,000 to the total package.
Base
$169,000
Equity
$49,000
Bonus
$21,000
Signing
$10,000
Estimated total: $249,000
How San Antonio compares
San Antonio, TX
$169,000
Cost of living: 9% below average
National Average
$180,000
San Antonio is $11,000 below
AI Threat Modeler salary by city
Salary by role in San Antonio
What you should know
Here is what the AI Threat Modeler market actually looks like in San Antonio. 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 is driven by expertise in identifying attack surfaces unique to AI systems and ability to design comprehensive threat models spanning data, models, and infrastructure. Threat modelers covering the full AI supply chain from training data to inference endpoints earn top compensation. Experience with STRIDE, MITRE ATLAS, and custom AI threat frameworks is highly valued.
Junior AI security analysts start at $115,000 to $135,000 conducting structured threat assessments. Mid-level threat modelers leading system-level analysis earn $155,000 to $180,000. Senior modelers architecting enterprise AI security strategy reach $210,000 to $235,000, with chief AI security architects at $265,000 to $310,000. 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. Bonuses of 15 to 22% are standard, with additional compensation for threat intelligence contributions and security framework development. Equity at AI security startups can be substantial, representing 20 to 40% of total compensation. 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 $169,000, 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 Threat Modelers in San Antonio runs from $127,000 to $220,000. 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 Interpretability Researcher in San Antonio earns $170,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in San Antonio is Distinguished Engineer at $303,000
Common questions.
AI Threat Modeler salary in other cities
Other salaries in San Antonio
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.