How much does an AI Lead make in New Jersey? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an AI Lead in New Jersey is $151,056 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

However, an AI Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $174,612
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,951 to $163,386
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $127,930

Key Factors That Influence AI Lead Salaries

An AI Lead's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects AI Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an AI Lead's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $141,675
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $142,648
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $144,205
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $146,152
  • Expert (over 8 years): $148,830
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level AI Lead less than 1 year $141,675
Early Career Level AI Lead 1-2 years $142,648
Mid-Level Level AI Lead 2-4 years $144,205
Senior-Level Level AI Lead 5-8 years $146,152
Expert Level AI Lead over 8 years $148,830

Top Paying Cities for AI Lead

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Maywood: $158,266
  • Teterboro: $158,328
  • Alpine: $158,265

AI Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For AI Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 85% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, AI Lead positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view AI Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an AI Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $196,372 $94.0 30%
Biotechnology $188,819 $91.0 25%
Financial Services $188,819 $91.0 25%
Pharmaceuticals $188,819 $91.0 25%
Insurance $181,267 $87.0 20%

AI Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an AI Lead's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$138,951
Average $151,056/year
$163,386
$11,579
Average $12,588/month
$13,616
$2,672
Average $2,905/week
$3,142
$67
Average $73/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $163,386 $13,616 $3,142 $79
Average $151,056 $12,588 $2,905 $73
25th Percentile $138,951 $11,579 $2,672 $67

Find Your Next AI Lead Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current AI Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • J.P. Morgan | Jersey City, NJ

    J.P. Morgan | Jersey City, NJ

    hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION We have an exciting opportunity to... more

    5 Days Ago

  • J.P. Morgan | Jersey City, NJ

    J.P. Morgan | Jersey City, NJ

    hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION Join a team applying modern artifi... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Fitmatch AI | Montclair, NJ

    Fitmatch AI | Montclair, NJ

    About the Role We are seeking an experienced Lead Designer - UX, Product UI & 3D Graphics to join our Product team to lead design initiatives across the Fi... more

    7 Days Ago

  • J.P. Morgan | Jersey City, NJ

    J.P. Morgan | Jersey City, NJ

    hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION .P. Morgan is a global leader in f... more

    6 Days Ago

  • J.P. Morgan | Jersey City, NJ

    J.P. Morgan | Jersey City, NJ

    hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION Join the Trade and Working Capital... more

    6 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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