Engineering Manager, AI.
Austin.
$212,000
median salary, 6% above the national average
$170,000 to $265,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Engineering Manager, AIs actually make in Austin: $170,000 at the 25th percentile, $212,000 at the median, and $265,000 at the 75th. That is 6% above the national average. Austin has transformed into one of America's fastest growing tech hubs, attracting relocations from Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung. 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 $191,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$138,000
to $170,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$180,000
to $223,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$233,000
to $276,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$265,000
to $329,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $50,000 to the total package.
Base
$212,000
Equity
$28,000
Bonus
$18,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $262,000
Engineering Manager, AI salary by company
Total compensation estimates include base, equity, bonus, and signing. Ranges reflect mid to senior level. Derived from public H-1B LCA filings, SEC proxy statements, and aggregated self-reported data.
How Austin compares
Austin, TX
$212,000
Cost of living: 3% above average
National Average
$200,000
Austin is $12,000 above
Engineering Manager, AI salary by city
Salary by role in Austin
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Engineering Manager, AI offer in Austin, understand the terrain. Austin has transformed into one of America's fastest growing tech hubs, attracting relocations from Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung. The city's combination of no state income tax, a vibrant startup scene, and a strong university pipeline makes it highly competitive. Salaries have risen sharply over the past five years, narrowing the gap with coastal cities. Compensation reflects team size, technical depth of the managed domain, and the strategic importance of AI initiatives. Managers leading teams on production ML systems earn more than those managing experimental projects. Experience hiring and retaining scarce AI talent, combined with the ability to contribute technically, drives premiums.
First-time AI engineering managers start at $150,000 to $170,000. Experienced managers leading teams of 8 to 15 reach $190,000 to $230,000. Senior managers or directors overseeing multiple AI teams earn $240,000 to $320,000. VPs of AI engineering at mid to large companies can exceed $400,000 in total compensation. In Austin, 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. RSUs at tech companies add $50,000 to $200,000 annually. Bonuses of 15% to 25% are standard, often tied to team delivery and retention metrics. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $50,000 are common. Management development programs and executive coaching are frequent benefits. And on the tax side: texas has no state income tax, which can mean 5 to 10% more take home pay compared to California roles. Property taxes are above average, however, running about 1.8% of home value. When someone quotes you $212,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Use the no income tax advantage as a negotiation lever. Ask employers to match 90% of a Bay Area offer and show that your net pay will actually be higher. The range for Engineering Manager, AIs in Austin runs from $170,000 to $265,000. 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 Cloud Architect in Austin earns $213,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Austin is Principal AI Research Scientist at $371,000
- See all ai engineering roles tracked in Orbyt Intelligence
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