Data Architect (AI/ML).
Richmond.
$173,000
median salary, 3% below the national average
$131,000 to $225,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Data Architect (AI/ML) in Richmond earns a median of $173,000 in 2026. That is 3% below the national average. The range runs from $131,000 to $225,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Data architects specializing in AI and ML systems command premium pay for designing scalable data platforms that support model training and serving.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $156,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$112,000
to $138,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$147,000
to $182,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$190,000
to $225,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$216,000
to $268,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $45,000 to the total package.
Base
$173,000
Equity
$26,000
Bonus
$16,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $218,000
How Richmond compares
Richmond, VA
$173,000
Cost of living: 1% above average
National Average
$178,000
Richmond is $5,000 below
Data Architect (AI/ML) salary by city
Salary by role in Richmond
What you should know
Here is what the Data Architect (AI/ML) market actually looks like in Richmond. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Capital One's headquarters drives significant fintech employment. The city's proximity to Washington DC creates spillover demand for federal contractors and tech workers seeking lower living costs. Data architects specializing in AI and ML systems command premium pay for designing scalable data platforms that support model training and serving. Experience architecting lakehouse solutions and real-time feature stores is highly valued. Enterprise experience at companies with complex data governance requirements adds 15 to 25% to compensation.
Junior data architects earn $135,000 to $160,000. Architects with 5 to 8 years of experience designing ML data systems reach $178,000 to $232,000. Principal architects earn $240,000 to $320,000, while chief data architects and VP-level roles can command $350,000 to $450,000. In Richmond, 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. Senior data architects receive equity packages of 20 to 35% of base salary at tech companies. Consulting data architects can earn $200 to $350 per hour as independent contractors. Annual bonuses range from 15 to 25%, with some firms offering architecture patent bonuses. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Richmond has no city income tax. The moderate rate and reasonable cost of living create solid net compensation. When someone quotes you $173,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage DC corridor salary benchmarks. Richmond employers compete with Northern Virginia and DC for talent, especially in fintech and government contracting. The range for Data Architect (AI/ML)s in Richmond runs from $131,000 to $225,000. 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 LLMOps Engineer in Richmond earns $174,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Richmond is Chief AI Officer at $316,000
Common questions.
Data Architect (AI/ML) salary in other cities
Other salaries in Richmond
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