Motion Planning AI Engineer Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$180,000
national median salary
$135,000 to $235,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$250,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$188,000
Las Vegas, NV
Lowest Paying
$145,000
Charleston, WV
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 Motion Planning AI Engineer salary in the United States is $180,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $135,000 at the 25th percentile to $235,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $250,000, while Las Vegas offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Deep expertise in trajectory optimization, sampling based planning, and learned planning algorithms drives top compensation.
Motion Planning AI Engineer salary by city
Skills that increase Motion Planning AI Engineer pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Motion Planning AI Engineers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $25,200 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$25,200 per year
≈ +$23,400 per year
≈ +$21,600 per year
≈ +$19,800 per year
≈ +$18,000 per year
≈ +$18,000 per year
≈ +$18,000 per year
≈ +$16,200 per year
What you should know
Deep expertise in trajectory optimization, sampling based planning, and learned planning algorithms drives top compensation. Engineers who can design motion planners that handle dynamic environments with safety constraints in real time are extremely valued. Experience with manipulation planning, multi agent coordination, and formal safety guarantees adds significant salary premiums.
Junior motion planning engineers start at $108,000 to $140,000. Mid level engineers with real robot deployment experience earn $158,000 to $200,000. Senior engineers reach $205,000 to $258,000. Principal planning scientists at autonomous vehicle or robotics companies can exceed $340,000 in total compensation.
Equity at robotics and autonomous systems companies adds 20 to 40% of total compensation. Performance bonuses of 15 to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $60,000 are common. Benefits frequently include hardware lab time and research conference travel budgets.