Solutions Engineer, AI.
San Antonio.
$144,000
median salary, 7% below the national average
$111,000 to $181,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Solutions Engineer, AIs actually make in San Antonio: $111,000 at the 25th percentile, $144,000 at the median, and $181,000 at the 75th. That is 7% below the national average. San Antonio has a major military presence with Joint Base San Antonio and a growing cybersecurity hub. 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 $129,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$94,000
to $115,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$122,000
to $151,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$158,000
to $187,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$180,000
to $223,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $36,000 to the total package.
Base
$144,000
Equity
$20,000
Bonus
$13,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $180,000
How San Antonio compares
San Antonio, TX
$144,000
Cost of living: 9% below average
National Average
$155,000
San Antonio is $11,000 below
Solutions Engineer, AI salary by city
Salary by role in San Antonio
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Solutions Engineer, AI offer in San Antonio, understand the terrain. San Antonio has a major military presence with Joint Base San Antonio and a growing cybersecurity hub. The city is home to USAA headquarters and a cluster of healthcare systems. The extremely affordable cost of living and no state income tax make it attractive for professionals seeking purchasing power. 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 San Antonio, 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. San Antonio has no city income tax. The zero tax environment and very affordable housing create exceptional purchasing power relative to most metros. When someone quotes you $144,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage the cybersecurity corridor. San Antonio's NSA facility and military cyber operations drive demand for cleared security professionals at premium rates. The range for Solutions Engineer, AIs in San Antonio runs from $111,000 to $181,000. 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 Growth Manager in San Antonio earns $145,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in San Antonio is Distinguished Engineer at $303,000
Common questions.
Solutions Engineer, AI salary in other cities
Other salaries in San Antonio
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