Embodied AI Engineer.
New York.
$253,000
median salary, 32% above the national average
$187,000 to $332,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Embodied AI Engineers actually make in New York: $187,000 at the 25th percentile, $253,000 at the median, and $332,000 at the 75th. That is 32% above the national average. New York City remains one of the world's largest and most diverse job markets, with unmatched density in finance, media, and technology. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $228,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$164,000
to $202,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$215,000
to $266,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$278,000
to $329,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$316,000
to $392,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $60,000 to the total package.
Base
$253,000
Equity
$33,000
Bonus
$22,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $313,000
How New York compares
New York, NY
$253,000
Cost of living: 28% above average
National Average
$192,000
New York is $61,000 above
Embodied AI Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in New York
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Embodied AI Engineer offer in New York, understand the terrain. New York City remains one of the world's largest and most diverse job markets, with unmatched density in finance, media, and technology. The city's tech sector has grown rapidly, rivaling the Bay Area for venture funding and startup activity. Remote work has reshaped demand slightly, but employers still pay premiums for in office presence in Manhattan. Pay correlates with robotics platform complexity and real-world deployment experience. Engineers who bridge simulation-to-reality transfer for manipulation or locomotion tasks earn premiums. Hardware integration skills combined with deep learning for perception and control drive salaries toward the high end.
Junior embodied AI engineers start near $142,000 working on perception pipelines. Mid-level engineers deploying manipulation or navigation systems earn $190,000 to $215,000. Technical leads architecting full-stack embodied AI platforms reach $252,000 to $320,000. In New York, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 28% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Robotics companies offer competitive equity packages, especially pre-IPO. Annual bonuses of 12% to 20% are standard, with hardware prototype completion bonuses adding $10,000 to $25,000 at some firms. And on the tax side: new York State income tax rates reach 10.9%, and New York City adds a local income tax up to 3.876%. Combined with federal taxes, your effective rate can be among the highest nationally. When someone quotes you $253,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize your willingness to work from the office in Manhattan. Many NYC employers pay 10 to 15% more for in person roles compared to remote positions. The range for Embodied AI Engineers in New York runs from $187,000 to $332,000. 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 AI Security & Red Teaming Specialist in New York earns $252,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in New York is Chief AI Officer at $393,000
Common questions.
Embodied AI Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in New York
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