Medical Imaging AI Specialist.
Birmingham.
$163,000
median salary, 14% below the national average
$122,000 to $212,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Birmingham is 16% cheaper than the national average. For Medical Imaging AI Specialists, that shakes out to a median of $163,000, with the full range spanning $122,000 to $212,000. Deep knowledge of medical image analysis, FDA regulatory pathways, and clinical validation methodologies drives top compensation. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $147,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$106,000
to $130,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$139,000
to $171,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$179,000
to $212,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$204,000
to $253,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $45,000 to the total package.
Base
$163,000
Equity
$26,000
Bonus
$16,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $208,000
How Birmingham compares
Birmingham, AL
$163,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$190,000
Birmingham is $27,000 below
Medical Imaging AI Specialist salary by city
Salary by role in Birmingham
What you should know
The Medical Imaging AI Specialist landscape in Birmingham is not what most salary sites will tell you. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. UAB is one of the state's largest employers and a driver of biomedical research jobs. The extremely low cost of living makes Birmingham a strong value for professionals in healthcare and finance. 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 Birmingham, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 16% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
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: alabama's top state income tax rate is 5%. Birmingham has no city income tax. The low rate combined with very affordable housing creates excellent take home pay ratios. When someone quotes you $163,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage UAB and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries even in this low cost market. The range for Medical Imaging AI Specialists in Birmingham runs from $122,000 to $212,000. 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 Safety Engineer in Birmingham earns $162,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Birmingham is Chief AI Officer at $263,000
Common questions.
Medical Imaging AI Specialist salary in other cities
Other salaries in Birmingham
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.