AI Engineer
Salary in Los Angeles
$118K–$402K across all experience levels. Updated 2025.
CA
Senior AI Engineer · Median
$258K
Base salary · 5–8 years experience
Total comp median: $413K
Salary by experience level — Los Angeles
LA's tech market spans entertainment tech, gaming, e-commerce (Snap, Riot Games, SpaceX, Beyond Meat), and a growing startup ecosystem. Compensation is strong but below SF.
$144K
median base salary
$198K
median base salary
$258K
median base salary
$336K
median base salary
| Level | Experience | 25th %ile | Median | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0–2 yrs | $118K | $144K | $170K |
| Mid Level | 3–5 yrs | $166K | $198K | $234K |
| Senior | 5–8 yrs | $214K | $258K | $310K |
| Staff / Principal | 8+ yrs | $276K | $336K | $402K |
Base salary in USD. Data reflects 2025 compensation benchmarks from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and Zari platform data.
Senior AI Engineer · Total Compensation
$413K
Median total comp (base + equity + bonus)
Total comp range
Negotiation opportunity
$96K
Gap between 25th and 75th percentile for senior AI Engineer in Los Angeles
Most candidates who don't negotiate land at the 25th percentile. Strong negotiation moves you toward the 75th — a difference of $96K per year.
How to negotiate a AI Engineer offer in Los Angeles
The difference between the 25th and 75th percentile is $96K/year — and it comes down to this conversation.
Anchor above the median
Open at $310K — the 75th percentile. This gives you room to "meet in the middle" at or above the median. Never give a range; ranges get taken at the low end.
Use competing offers as leverage
A competing offer — even from a less preferred employer — is the single most powerful negotiating tool in Los Angeles. Get at least one before negotiating.
Negotiate total comp, not just base
Base salary is often the hardest component to move. Signing bonus and equity are frequently more flexible. In Los Angeles, a $32K signing bonus has the same year-1 value.
Never accept on the call
Ask for the offer in writing and follow up in 24–48 hours. This creates space to counter without pressure. No legitimate employer rescinds an offer because a candidate asked for review time.