Autonomous Systems Engineer.
Billings.
$167,000
median salary, 14% below the national average
$124,000 to $214,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Autonomous Systems Engineer offer in Billings, MT, here is the reality: $124,000 to $214,000, with $167,000 as the midpoint. 14% below the national average. Salary is driven by expertise in perception, planning, and control systems for autonomous vehicles, drones, or robotics. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $150,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$109,000
to $134,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$142,000
to $175,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$184,000
to $217,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$209,000
to $259,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $49,000 to the total package.
Base
$167,000
Equity
$28,000
Bonus
$18,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $216,000
How Billings compares
Billings, MT
$167,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$195,000
Billings is $28,000 below
Autonomous Systems Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Billings
What you should know
The Autonomous Systems Engineer landscape in Billings is not what most salary sites will tell you. Billings is Montana's largest city and economic hub, driven by energy, agriculture, and healthcare. The city serves as a regional center for the Northern Plains. Remote work has brought a wave of tech professionals seeking Montana's quality of life, gradually diversifying the local job market. Salary is driven by expertise in perception, planning, and control systems for autonomous vehicles, drones, or robotics. Engineers with experience deploying safety-critical AI in real-world environments command top salaries. Specialization in sensor fusion, simulation environments, and real-time decision-making adds 15 to 25% above general ML engineering compensation.
Junior robotics ML engineers start at $110,000 to $135,000. Autonomous systems engineers earn $145,000 to $195,000. Senior engineers reach $220,000 to $290,000, and principal autonomy engineers at leading companies command $310,000 to $430,000 in total compensation. In Billings, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 11% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at autonomous vehicle companies can be substantial, often adding 30 to 50% above base salary. Signing bonuses of $30,000 to $75,000 are common. Annual bonuses range from 10 to 20% with additional safety milestone bonuses at some companies. And on the tax side: montana has a top income tax rate of 5.9% but no state sales tax. Billings has no city income tax. The no sales tax benefit helps offset the state income tax. When someone quotes you $167,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work arrangements. Billings employers are increasingly open to remote and hybrid setups to attract talent from larger metros. The range for Autonomous Systems Engineers in Billings runs from $124,000 to $214,000. 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 ML Engineer in Billings earns $168,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Billings is Chief AI Officer at $287,000
Common questions.
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