Solutions Engineer, AI.
Birmingham.
$134,000
median salary, 14% below the national average
$104,000 to $169,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Solutions Engineer, AIs actually make in Birmingham: $104,000 at the 25th percentile, $134,000 at the median, and $169,000 at the 75th. That is 14% below the national average. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $121,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$87,000
to $107,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$114,000
to $141,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$147,000
to $174,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$168,000
to $208,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $34,000 to the total package.
Base
$134,000
Equity
$19,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $168,000
How Birmingham compares
Birmingham, AL
$134,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$155,000
Birmingham is $21,000 below
Solutions Engineer, AI salary by city
Salary by role in Birmingham
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Solutions Engineer, AI roles in Birmingham, here is what you are walking into. 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. 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 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. 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: 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 $134,000, 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 Solutions Engineer, AIs in Birmingham runs from $104,000 to $169,000. 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 Machine Learning Engineer in Birmingham earns $133,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Birmingham is Distinguished Engineer at $280,000
Common questions.
Solutions Engineer, AI salary in other cities
Other salaries in Birmingham
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