Clinical AI Engineer.
Houston.
$141,000
median salary, 3% below the national average
$107,000 to $179,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Clinical AI Engineer offer in Houston, TX, here is the reality: $107,000 to $179,000, with $141,000 as the midpoint. 3% below the national average. Compensation reflects the specialized intersection of ML engineering and clinical domain expertise. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $127,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$92,000
to $113,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$120,000
to $148,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$155,000
to $183,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$176,000
to $219,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $31,000 to the total package.
Base
$141,000
Equity
$17,000
Bonus
$11,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $172,000
How Houston compares
Houston, TX
$141,000
Cost of living: 3% below average
National Average
$145,000
Houston is $4,000 below
Clinical AI Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Houston
What you should know
The Clinical AI Engineer landscape in Houston is not what most salary sites will tell you. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest, driving massive demand for clinical and research roles. Houston's low cost of living and no state income tax make it an attractive destination for professionals seeking strong purchasing power. Compensation reflects the specialized intersection of ML engineering and clinical domain expertise. Engineers who can navigate FDA regulatory requirements, build AI systems for clinical decision support, and validate models against clinical outcomes earn premiums. Experience with medical imaging AI, EHR integration, or clinical NLP adds significant value.
Junior clinical AI engineers start at $100,000 to $115,000. Mid-level engineers building FDA-ready AI systems reach $135,000 to $165,000. Senior engineers leading clinical AI programs earn $170,000 to $210,000. Directors of clinical AI at hospital systems or health tech companies can reach $230,000 to $290,000 in total compensation. In Houston, 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. Equity at health AI startups adds $20,000 to $70,000 annually. Bonuses of 10% to 20% are standard. Benefits often include continuing medical education stipends and conference budgets. Some healthcare systems offer pension benefits and loan forgiveness programs. And on the tax side: texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers strong take home pay. The city's overall cost of living is below the national average, further stretching your salary. When someone quotes you $141,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize industry specialization in energy or healthcare. Houston employers pay significant premiums for domain expertise in these sectors over generalist candidates. The range for Clinical AI Engineers in Houston runs from $107,000 to $179,000. 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 Data Engineer in Houston earns $140,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Houston is Distinguished Engineer at $327,000
Common questions.
Clinical AI Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Houston
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