Lead AI Conversation Designer
Blink UX – Bellevue, WA
Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
How much does an AI Lead make in Washington? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an AI Lead in Washington is $151,111 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:
AI Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $163,446 | $13,621 | $3,143 | $79 |
| Average | $151,111 | $12,593 | $2,906 | $73 |
| 25th Percentile | $139,002 | $11,583 | $2,673 | $67 |
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level AI Lead | less than 1 year | $141,727 |
| Early Career Level AI Lead | 1-2 years | $142,701 |
| Mid-Level Level AI Lead | 2-4 years | $144,258 |
| Senior-Level Level AI Lead | 5-8 years | $146,205 |
| Expert Level AI Lead | over 8 years | $148,884 |
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract AI Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $196,445 | $94.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $188,889 | $91.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $188,889 | $91.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $188,889 | $91.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $181,334 | $87.0 | 20% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $163,446 | $13,621 | $3,143 | $79 |
| Average | $151,111 | $12,593 | $2,906 | $73 |
| 25th Percentile | $139,002 | $11,583 | $2,673 | $67 |
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.
SIA | Bellevue, WA
SIA | Bellevue, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Sia is a next-generation, global management consulting group. Founded in 1999, we were born digital.... more
9 Days Ago
Globenet Consulting Corp | Lynnwood, WA
Globenet Consulting Corp | Lynnwood, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Competitive salary. Opportunity for advancement. Training & development. Role: AI/ML Technical Lead. Location: ... more
9 Days Ago
Banyan Software | Seattle, WA
Banyan Software | Seattle, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Banyan Software is the best permanent home for software businesses that serve specialized industries, their employees, an... more
5 Days Ago
Docker | Seattle, WA
Docker | Seattle, WA
A leading software company in Seattle is looking for a Senior Manager of Engineering to lead an AI Developer Tools team.You will create revolutionary AI-po... more
7 Days Ago
Exatech Inc | Seattle, WA
Exatech Inc | Seattle, WA
HelloThis is Yaheeya Ahmed from Exatech Inc.I have an urgent opening of AI QE lead Engineer / Seattle, WA ( Remote )Position :AI QE lead EngineerLocation :... more
9 Days Ago
Ahtna Incorporated | Renton, WA
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: