Manipulation AI Specialist Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$175,000
national median salary
$132,000 to $228,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$234,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$182,000
Washington DC, DC
Lowest Paying
$138,000
Jackson, MS
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 Manipulation AI Specialist salary in the United States is $175,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $132,000 at the 25th percentile to $228,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $234,000, while Washington DC offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Expertise in grasp planning, dexterous manipulation, and tactile sensing integration drives compensation.
Manipulation AI Specialist salary by city
Skills that increase Manipulation AI Specialist pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Manipulation AI Specialists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $24,500 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$24,500 per year
≈ +$22,750 per year
≈ +$21,000 per year
≈ +$19,250 per year
≈ +$17,500 per year
≈ +$17,500 per year
≈ +$17,500 per year
≈ +$15,750 per year
What you should know
Expertise in grasp planning, dexterous manipulation, and tactile sensing integration drives compensation. Specialists who can build reliable pick and place systems for diverse objects and design manipulation policies using simulation and real world learning are highly valued. Experience with deformable object manipulation and contact rich planning adds significant premiums.
Junior manipulation engineers start at $105,000 to $135,000. Mid level specialists with warehouse or manufacturing deployments earn $155,000 to $195,000. Senior specialists reach $200,000 to $250,000. Lead manipulation scientists at robotics companies can exceed $320,000 in total compensation.
Equity at manipulation robotics startups adds 20 to 35% of total compensation. Performance bonuses of 15 to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $20,000 to $50,000 are common. Benefits often include hardware prototyping budgets and lab facility access.