Artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the most transformational and in-demand fields within the tech industry. In fact, AI is projected to contribute over $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Major technology companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and many more are pouring billions into AI research, products, and services, accelerating job growth and demand for AI talent.
Recent reports show that demand for AI talent has skyrocketed, with over 156,000 open positions nationally requiring AI skills. Also, AI-related jobs top the list of highest paying tech roles. The average salary for an AI engineer or manager is now over $132,000 per year. Plus, Leading technology firms offer compensation packages for senior AI talent exceeding $500,000 or more.
But, The location of your AI career plays a crucial role in your overall success and satisfaction. According to a recent survey, 75% of AI professionals say location significantly impacts their career growth and satisfaction. According to a recent survey, 75% of AI professionals believe that the location of their job significantly impacts their career growth and job satisfaction. Moreover, 65% of respondents indicated that they would consider relocating for a job that offers a better salary, work-life balance, and opportunities for innovation.
So, This blog explores the 10 top states for landing a lucrative AI job based on salaries and companies.
01
of 11California
California is the epicenter of AI innovation and job creation. It tops the chart in the United States with the highest number of AI job openings. Recent statistics reveal that there are over 22,000 unfilled AI positions in just the Bay Area and Los Angeles metro regions, making it a magnet for AI professionals.
Key AI Centers : The two pivotal hubs for AI jobs in the state are Silicon Valley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles/Southern California. Notably, Silicon Valley is home to the densest concentration of AI jobs at leading tech firms.
Home to Tech Giants: Prominent tech behemoths like Google, Meta, Apple, Nvidia, Intuit, Adobe, Netflix, Uber, Lyft, among others, have either their headquarters or major offices situated in California and are on a hiring spree for AI roles. Additionally, the state is dotted with hundreds of AI startups, thereby amplifying the job prospects.
Salary: California offers some of the most lucrative salary packages for AI professionals, with the pay scale ranging from $150k to a whopping $450k+ for engineers, researchers, and other specialists. For instance, senior machine learning engineers can command a salary of $300-400k at tech giants like Google and Facebook.
02
of 11New York
New York has swiftly ascended the ranks to become a leading AI tech hub. It is currently home to over 13,000 open AI jobs, with the majority concentrated in Manhattan and Brooklyn. This surge in opportunities positions NYC as a top destination for AI professionals.
Key AI Hubs: Manhattan, the base for most large companies, and Brooklyn, the epicenter of NYC’s burgeoning tech startup scene, are the main AI hubs in New York.
Companies: Renowned firms actively hiring AI talent in NYC include IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bloomberg, Memorial Sloan Kettering, the New York Times, Spotify, Goldman Sachs, along with a flourishing startup ecosystem.
Salaries: The average AI salary in New York City hovers around $152,000, with senior machine learning engineers raking in up to $215,000 at top financial institutions and tech corporations.
Diverse Demand: There is a high demand for AI skills across various sectors, including financial tech, advertising, media, healthcare, and more. Key areas of interest include natural language processing (NLP), recommendation systems, fraud detection, conversational AI, and computer vision.
03
of 11Massachusetts
For those seeking proximity to the brightest minds in AI research and thriving tech companies, Massachusetts is a top contender. It currently boasts over 5,000 open AI jobs, with the majority clustered in the Boston/Cambridge metro area, renowned for its vibrant tech scene.
Central AI Hubs: Boston and Cambridge serve as the primary AI hubs, bolstered by the presence of MIT and Harvard. Other notable hotspots include Waltham, Burlington, Andover, and Lowell.
Companies: Massachusetts hosts major AI labs and hubs for renowned companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, IBM, iRobot, Wayfair, DraftKings, DataRobot, MathWorks, Rapid7, Cognex, Vecna, and more.
Salaries: The average salary for AI engineers in Massachusetts ranges from $120,000 to $160,000. Meanwhile, machine learning experts can command salaries exceeding $250,000 at top tech firms in the Boston area.
Leadership in Key Fields: Boston is a leader in AI applications for robotics, manufacturing, cybersecurity, finance, health, and autonomous vehicles, thanks to its rich talent pool.
04
of 11Washington
Washington provides access to top tech firms, offering a plethora of job opportunities and lucrative salaries. It currently has over 4,000 open AI jobs, predominantly located in the Seattle-Bellevue metro area, with a smaller concentration in Eastern Washington cities like Spokane.
Key AI Hub: Seattle stands as the nucleus of AI jobs in Washington, hosting major tech companies and startups, including Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and many others.
Companies: The two dominant players recruiting AI talent are Microsoft in Redmond and Amazon in Seattle. However, several other firms, including Oculus, Unity, and emerging startups, also have offices in the region.
Salaries: The average salary for AI engineers in Washington hovers around $138,000. However, at tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, machine learning experts can command salaries of $250,000 or more.
05
of 11Texas
Texas is emerging as a key player in the AI job market, and here are the reasons why:
Abundant Job Opportunities: Texas currently has over 3,000 open AI jobs, primarily located in the Austin and Dallas metro areas, with a notable presence in Houston as well.
Primary AI Hub: Austin has evolved into the nerve center of AI in Texas, attracting tech companies and startups due to its robust talent pipeline. Dallas and Houston serve as secondary hubs.
Companies: Leading companies recruiting AI talent in Texas include Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta, Indeed, Capital One, Waymo, AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments.
Salaries: The average AI salary in Texas is around $129,000. However, senior machine learning engineers can command up to $185,000 in Austin at the state’s tech giants.
06
of 11Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s thriving AI ecosystem, affordable living, and top-tier research talent pipeline make it an attractive location for AI careers outside of traditional tech hubs. It currently hosts over 2,000 open AI jobs, mainly concentrated in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
AI Hub: Pittsburgh has emerged as a significant AI hub, propelled by Carnegie Mellon University, which is a powerhouse for talent and research. Philadelphia ranks second in the state for AI jobs.
Companies: Prominent companies recruiting AI talent in Pennsylvania include Google, Apple, Bosch, Argo AI, Duolingo, Voci, Petuum, Carnegie Robotics, UPMC, and Comcast.
Salaries: The average salary for AI positions in Pennsylvania is around $117,000. However, machine learning engineers can command up to $180,000 at top companies in Pittsburgh.
07
of 11North Carolina
North Carolina offers a booming ecosystem for AI research and jobs in the Research Triangle Park region, combining excellent opportunities with a high quality of life. It currently has over 2,000 open AI jobs, predominantly located in the Research Triangle Park area, which includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.
Central AI Hub: The Research Triangle Park region serves as the epicenter of AI in North Carolina, encompassing the three core cities where top companies and research universities are situated.
Companies: Prominent companies recruiting AI talent in North Carolina include IBM, Cisco, Epic Games, SAS, Lenovo, Credit Suisse, NetApp, Fidelity Investments, and Red Hat.
Salaries: The average AI salary in North Carolina is around $108,000. However, machine learning engineers can command salaries exceeding $150,000 at top firms in Raleigh and Durham.
08
of 11Colorado
Colorado offers a blend of a burgeoning AI business and research ecosystem with direct access to nature and an appealing lifestyle, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. The state currently hosts over 1,500 open AI jobs, mainly concentrated in the Denver-Boulder metro area and Colorado Springs.
Major AI Hubs: Denver and Boulder have evolved into significant AI hubs, attracting tech companies to establish offices and AI labs to tap into the local talent pool.
Companies: Prominent companies recruiting for AI roles in Colorado include Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Maxar Technologies, IQVIA, and startups like Uptake.
Salaries: The average AI salary in Colorado hovers around $102,000. However, machine learning engineers can command up to $160,000 in Denver and Boulder.
09
of 11Georgia
Georgia offers a business-friendly climate, affordable living costs, and a growing AI job market, making it an attractive option for those who prefer to avoid cold winters. The state currently has over 1,000 open AI jobs, mainly situated in Atlanta, with a smaller number in Augusta and Savannah.
Central AI Hub: Atlanta is the heart of Georgia’s AI landscape, with a growing number of tech startups and major corporate offices fueling job growth.
Companies: Leading AI employers in Georgia include Mailchimp, Home Depot, UPS, Delta Air Lines, NCR, Airbus, and a burgeoning startup ecosystem.
Salaries: The average salary for AI jobs in Atlanta is around $96,000. However, senior machine learning engineers can command up to $140,000.
Popular Sectors: AI applications in supply chain, customer service, health informatics, autonomous vehicles, and enterprise operations are popular focuses in Georgia.
10
of 11Illinois
Illinois offers a thriving AI business community in Chicago, supported by strong research pipelines, all at a more affordable price point than the coasts. It currently has over 1,000 open AI jobs, predominantly located in Chicago, with a smaller number in the state capital, Springfield.
Central AI Hub: Chicago is the epicenter of AI activity in Illinois, boasting a thriving ecosystem of regional offices of major companies and tech startups.
Major Employers: Leading companies recruiting for AI positions include Allstate, GrubHub, DRW, Enova, Trading Technologies, Motorola, United Airlines, and various Illinois tech startups.
Salaries: The average salary for AI jobs in Chicago hovers around $91,000. However, senior machine learning engineers can command up to $135,000.
Key Sectors: AI applications for financial services, transportation, healthcare services, manufacturing, and advertising are top focuses in Illinois, especially Chicago.
11
of 11Conclusion
While lucrative AI career opportunities exist across the country, targeting applications and relocation efforts toward these leading states can significantly increase your chances of landing a high-paying AI role.
Well, California remains the epicenter for AI jobs, leading in quantity of openings, salaries, investments, and innovation. But, secondary hubs like New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Texas, and Illinois are rising quickly.
In the end, it all comes down to personal lifestyle preferences and career aspirations. So as you look to the future and setting yourself up for AI career growth, consider locating yourself in one of these AI hotspots. Use the insights provided to make the best decision for your needs and put yourself on the path to a lucrative, rewarding, and meaningful AI career. The future is bright in these tech hubs!