Which data describes head of AI pay?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track AI leaders as their own occupation. The nearest series is computer and information systems managers. BLS notes that people in this group may hold titles such as chief information officer, chief technology officer, or MIS director. A head of AI does similar work: setting technical direction, defending budgets, and managing engineers. The series counts every IT manager in the country, though, and most of them do not lead AI teams. Treat these figures as a rough comparison, not an exact match for the role.
BLS reported a May 2025 median of $175,140 for this occupation. Moved to 2026 with the Employment Cost Index, the 25th percentile is about $142,400, the median about $180,600, and the 75th percentile about $227,700. All of these are US figures.
Is the top of the range capped?
For May 2025, BLS published the full national range. The lowest 10 percent earned under $107,550 and the highest 10 percent earned over $297,510. That means the national data is not cut off below about $300,000 in this release. Older releases were different. In the May 2023 tables, BLS printed a footnote marker in place of a dollar figure for the 90th percentile. If you compare years, check that the top percentile is a real number.
The bigger gap is what the survey leaves out. OEWS counts straight-time gross pay, including base rate and production bonuses. It excludes nonproduction bonuses and employer-paid benefits, and stock grants are not among the items it counts. Because OEWS leaves out stock grants and nonproduction bonuses, these figures do not show total compensation where equity or bonuses are part of pay.
What moves pay at this level?
Industry matters a lot. In May 2025, median pay for this BLS occupation was $200,510 in the information sector, $182,510 in finance and insurance, $179,510 in computer systems design, $178,110 in manufacturing, and $176,950 in management of companies. Location moves it more. The 2026 median is about $225,100 in California and $221,000 in New York, compared with about $128,200 in Mississippi.
Scope is the other big driver. A head of AI who reports to the CEO, owns a product line, and manages several teams will earn more than a manager running one applied ML group. Equity, company stage, and whether the role sits in a revenue-producing product all change the offer more than the title does.
How do people reach this role?
BLS says people entering this occupation typically have a bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology plus related work experience. Some employers prefer a graduate degree. BLS also notes that CTOs and other senior technology managers usually need many years of experience before they are considered.
Pay
USD a year, before tax. US figures from BLS OEWS May 2025 for computer and information systems managers, moved to 2026 with the Employment Cost Index. This is the nearest series and covers the whole occupation, not AI leaders alone; it excludes stock grants and nonproduction bonuses. Refer to the AI & Automation Leadership salary guide for figures from live adverts.
What you need
- EducationBLS says entrants to this occupation typically hold a bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology. Some employers prefer a graduate degree.
- Years of experienceBLS notes that senior technology managers such as CTOs usually need many years of experience in the field before they are considered.
- Budget and cost judgmentThe BLS duties for this occupation include assessing costs and benefits of projects and justifying funding for them.
- People leadershipThe role includes deciding staffing needs and directing the work of engineers, analysts, and other technical staff.
- No license neededAI leadership has no license and no regulator. Certifications are optional and do not replace a track record.
How to get there
- Early careerBuild ML or software depthWork as a machine learning engineer, data scientist, or software engineer and ship systems that real users depend on.
- Early to mid careerLead a project or small teamTake technical ownership of a model or platform, including its cost, reliability, and roadmap.
- Mid careerManage engineersMove into an engineering manager role over an applied ML or data team and learn hiring, planning, and budgets.
- SeniorRun several teamsStep up to director level with responsibility for multiple teams and a budget tied to business results.
- Senior leadershipHead of AISet AI strategy, report to executives, and answer for what AI spending returns to the business.
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Questions people ask
What is the median salary for a head of AI in the US?
BLS has no head of AI series. The nearest match, computer and information systems managers, has a 2026 median of about $180,600, moved from the May 2025 BLS data. The series covers the whole occupation, not AI leaders alone, and it leaves out stock grants and nonproduction bonuses.
Do BLS figures include stock and bonuses?
OEWS counts base rate and production bonuses. It excludes nonproduction bonuses and employer-paid benefits, and stock grants are not among the items it counts. Where pay includes equity or nonproduction bonuses, total compensation is not captured by these figures.
Which states pay the most for this occupation?
Using 2026 figures from the nearest BLS series, California has the highest median at about $225,100. Massachusetts follows at about $221,700, then New York at about $221,000 and Washington at about $215,900. New Jersey and Virginia come next at about $209,800 and $207,800.
Which industries pay AI and IT leaders the most?
In May 2025, the information sector had the highest median for this BLS occupation at $200,510. Finance and insurance came next at $182,510, then computer systems design at $179,510. Manufacturing and management of companies were close behind.
Is demand for this kind of role growing?
BLS projects employment of computer and information systems managers to grow 16 percent from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the average for all occupations. It expects about 53,500 openings a year across the whole occupation, not only in AI.
