Clinical AI Engineer Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$145,000
national median salary
$110,000 to $185,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$202,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$151,000
Baltimore, MD
Lowest Paying
$111,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Clinical AI Engineer salary in the United States is $145,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $110,000 at the 25th percentile to $185,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $202,000, while Baltimore offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Compensation reflects the specialized intersection of ML engineering and clinical domain expertise.
Clinical AI Engineer salary by city
Skills that increase Clinical AI Engineer pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Clinical AI Engineers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $20,300 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$20,300 per year
≈ +$18,850 per year
≈ +$17,400 per year
≈ +$15,950 per year
≈ +$14,500 per year
≈ +$14,500 per year
≈ +$14,500 per year
≈ +$13,050 per year
What you should know
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.
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.