Solutions Engineer, AI.
Austin.
$153,000
median salary, 1% below the national average
$119,000 to $193,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Austin is 3% more expensive than the national average. For Solutions Engineer, AIs, that shakes out to a median of $153,000, with the full range spanning $119,000 to $193,000. Compensation reflects the ability to design and implement AI solutions for enterprise customers. 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 $138,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$99,000
to $122,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$130,000
to $161,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$168,000
to $199,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$191,000
to $237,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $38,000 to the total package.
Base
$153,000
Equity
$21,000
Bonus
$14,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $191,000
How Austin compares
Austin, TX
$153,000
Cost of living: 3% above average
National Average
$155,000
Austin is $2,000 below
Solutions Engineer, AI salary by city
Salary by role in Austin
What you should know
Here is what the Solutions Engineer, AI market actually looks like in Austin. 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 the ability to design and implement AI solutions for enterprise customers. Engineers who can translate business requirements into technical architectures, build POCs, and drive adoption post-sale earn premiums. Domain expertise in high-value verticals like finance, healthcare, or manufacturing adds 10% to 20% to compensation.
Junior solutions engineers start at $105,000 to $125,000. Mid-level SEs handling enterprise accounts reach $145,000 to $175,000. Senior SEs designing complex multi-system integrations earn $180,000 to $220,000. Solutions architecture leaders and directors of customer engineering can reach $240,000 to $300,000 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. Variable compensation adds 15% to 30% of base salary. Equity at AI companies adds $20,000 to $70,000 annually. Customer success bonuses tied to expansion revenue are common. Travel allowances and home office stipends for field-based roles are standard 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 $153,000, 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 Solutions Engineer, AIs in Austin runs from $119,000 to $193,000. 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 Predictive Modeling Specialist in Austin earns $154,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Austin is Distinguished Engineer at $337,000
Common questions.
Solutions Engineer, AI salary in other cities
Other salaries in Austin
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