AI Trading Systems Engineer.
New York.
$230,000
median salary, 24% above the national average
$174,000 to $298,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a AI Trading Systems Engineer offer in New York, NY, here is the reality: $174,000 to $298,000, with $230,000 as the midpoint. 24% above the national average. Compensation scales with the PnL impact of systems built. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $207,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$150,000
to $184,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$196,000
to $242,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$253,000
to $299,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$288,000
to $357,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $106,000 to the total package.
Base
$230,000
Equity
$64,000
Bonus
$28,000
Signing
$14,000
Estimated total: $336,000
How New York compares
New York, NY
$230,000
Cost of living: 28% above average
National Average
$185,000
New York is $45,000 above
AI Trading Systems Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in New York
What you should know
The AI Trading Systems Engineer landscape in New York is not what most salary sites will tell you. New York City remains one of the world's largest and most diverse job markets, with unmatched density in finance, media, and technology. The city's tech sector has grown rapidly, rivaling the Bay Area for venture funding and startup activity. Remote work has reshaped demand slightly, but employers still pay premiums for in office presence in Manhattan. Compensation scales with the PnL impact of systems built. Engineers who can design low-latency AI trading systems with demonstrated alpha generation earn the highest salaries. Experience combining ML signal research with high-performance systems engineering is rare and commands significant premiums. Proficiency in C++ and FPGA programming adds value.
Junior trading systems engineers start at $130,000 to $150,000. Mid-level engineers building production trading AI reach $175,000 to $210,000. Senior engineers designing firm-wide AI trading infrastructure earn $220,000 to $280,000. Partners and senior portfolio managers with AI systems expertise can earn $500,000 to $2,000,000+ in total compensation. In New York, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 28% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Bonuses at quantitative trading firms often equal or exceed base salary, with total compensation of $300,000 to $600,000+ at top firms. Profit sharing and performance-linked compensation can push total earnings even higher. Signing bonuses of $50,000 to $100,000+ are common at elite firms. And on the tax side: new York State income tax rates reach 10.9%, and New York City adds a local income tax up to 3.876%. Combined with federal taxes, your effective rate can be among the highest nationally. When someone quotes you $230,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize your willingness to work from the office in Manhattan. Many NYC employers pay 10 to 15% more for in person roles compared to remote positions. The range for AI Trading Systems Engineers in New York runs from $174,000 to $298,000. 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 Quantitative Analyst in New York earns $229,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in New York is Distinguished Engineer at $422,000
Common questions.
AI Trading Systems Engineer salary in other cities
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