VP of AI Engineering.
Richmond.
$278,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$210,000 to $362,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a VP of AI Engineering offer in Richmond, VA, here is the reality: $210,000 to $362,000, with $278,000 as the midpoint. 5% above the national average. Team size is the strongest predictor, with VPs managing 50 or more AI engineers earning 20 to 30% more than those leading smaller teams. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $250,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$181,000
to $222,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$236,000
to $292,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$306,000
to $361,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$348,000
to $431,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $185,000 to the total package.
Base
$278,000
Equity
$100,000
Bonus
$63,000
Signing
$22,000
Estimated total: $463,000
How Richmond compares
Richmond, VA
$278,000
Cost of living: 1% above average
National Average
$265,000
Richmond is $13,000 above
VP of AI Engineering salary by city
Salary by role in Richmond
What you should know
Here is what the VP of AI Engineering market actually looks like in Richmond. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Capital One's headquarters drives significant fintech employment. The city's proximity to Washington DC creates spillover demand for federal contractors and tech workers seeking lower living costs. Team size is the strongest predictor, with VPs managing 50 or more AI engineers earning 20 to 30% more than those leading smaller teams. Companies with production AI systems generating direct revenue pay significantly more than those in research phases. Geographic market and funding stage also play major roles.
Senior AI engineering managers earning $180,000 to $230,000 advance to this VP role at $200,000 to $345,000 base. The next step is SVP of Engineering at $250,000 to $380,000 or Chief AI Officer roles. Some VPs transition to founding AI startups with significant equity upside. In Richmond, 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. Total packages range from $450,000 to $900,000 including equity refreshers, annual bonuses of 30 to 50% of base, and signing bonuses of $50,000 to $150,000. RSU grants at public companies often represent 40 to 60% of total compensation. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Richmond has no city income tax. The moderate rate and reasonable cost of living create solid net compensation. When someone quotes you $278,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage DC corridor salary benchmarks. Richmond employers compete with Northern Virginia and DC for talent, especially in fintech and government contracting. The range for VP of AI Engineerings in Richmond runs from $210,000 to $362,000. 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 Chief Data Officer in Richmond earns $273,000 (2% less)
- The highest-paying role in Richmond is Chief AI Officer at $316,000
Common questions.
VP of AI Engineering salary in other cities
Other salaries in Richmond
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