Data Architect (AI/ML) Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$178,000
national median salary
$135,000 to $232,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$251,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$185,000
Boston, MA
Lowest Paying
$144,000
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 Data Architect (AI/ML) salary in the United States is $178,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $135,000 at the 25th percentile to $232,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $251,000, while Boston offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Data architects specializing in AI and ML systems command premium pay for designing scalable data platforms that support model training and serving.
Data Architect (AI/ML) salary by city
What you should know
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.
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.