Energy AI Engineer.
Richmond.
$205,000
median salary, at the national average
$160,000 to $267,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Energy AI Engineer salary in Richmond is $205,000, right at the national average. Entry level starts near $160,000. Experienced professionals push past $267,000. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $185,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$133,000
to $164,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$174,000
to $215,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$226,000
to $267,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$256,000
to $318,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $48,000 to the total package.
Base
$205,000
Equity
$27,000
Bonus
$17,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $253,000
How Richmond compares
Richmond, VA
$205,000
Cost of living: 1% above average
National Average
$205,000
Same as local rate
Energy AI Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Richmond
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Energy AI Engineer roles in Richmond, here is what you are walking into. 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. Model complexity, data pipeline scale, and infrastructure cost optimization are the primary drivers. Energy AI Engineers with experience across the full ML lifecycle, from research prototyping to production serving, earn more than those focused on a single phase. Domain expertise in high-stakes verticals like healthcare, finance, or autonomous systems adds measurable premiums.
Entry-level Energy AI Engineers start near $160,000. Mid-career professionals with three to five years of experience reach $205,000 to $267,000. Senior-level roles command $262,000 to $318,000. Management transitions to director-level positions offer $338,000 and above. 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. Equity at top-tier companies adds 30% to 60% above base salary. Annual bonuses of 15% to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $75,000 are common when changing roles. Refresher equity grants vest annually. Relocation packages and executive benefits like financial planning are typical. 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 $205,000, 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 Energy AI Engineers in Richmond runs from $160,000 to $267,000. 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 Privacy / Data Counsel in Richmond earns $204,000 (0% more)
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Common questions.
Energy AI Engineer salary in other cities
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