Medical Imaging AI Specialist.
Arlington.
$227,000
median salary, 19% above the national average
$170,000 to $297,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Medical Imaging AI Specialist in Arlington earns a median of $227,000 in 2026. That is 19% above the national average. The range runs from $170,000 to $297,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Deep knowledge of medical image analysis, FDA regulatory pathways, and clinical validation methodologies drives top compensation.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $204,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$148,000
to $182,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$193,000
to $238,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$250,000
to $295,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$284,000
to $352,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $64,000 to the total package.
Base
$227,000
Equity
$36,000
Bonus
$23,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $291,000
How Arlington compares
Arlington, VA
$227,000
Cost of living: 22% above average
National Average
$190,000
Arlington is $37,000 above
Medical Imaging AI Specialist salary by city
Salary by role in Arlington
What you should know
Here is what the Medical Imaging AI Specialist market actually looks like in Arlington. Arlington is the heart of the DC defense and intelligence corridor, home to the Pentagon, DARPA, and hundreds of government contractors. The concentration of cleared tech jobs makes it one of the highest-paying metros for cybersecurity and cloud engineering. Amazon's HQ2 has brought a wave of commercial tech hiring. Deep knowledge of medical image analysis, FDA regulatory pathways, and clinical validation methodologies drives top compensation. Specialists who understand radiology workflows and can navigate the 510(k) or De Novo approval process are extremely rare. Experience with specific modalities like CT, MRI, pathology, or ultrasound AI adds significant premiums.
Junior medical imaging engineers start at $115,000 to $150,000. Mid level specialists with regulatory submission experience earn $170,000 to $215,000. Senior specialists reach $220,000 to $275,000. VP of AI at medical imaging companies can exceed $350,000 in total compensation with equity. In Arlington, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 22% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at medical AI startups adds 20 to 40% of total compensation. Performance bonuses of 15 to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $75,000 are common. Benefits often include continuing medical education credits and conference travel budgets. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Arlington has no additional city income tax. Proximity to DC means many residents compare against DC and Maryland tax rates. When someone quotes you $227,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: A security clearance is your strongest asset. Cleared professionals in Arlington earn 20 to 30% premiums over non-cleared equivalents. The range for Medical Imaging AI Specialists in Arlington runs from $170,000 to $297,000. 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 ML Engineer in Arlington earns $228,000 (0% more)
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Common questions.
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