AI Startup Salaries: What to Expect at a Series A Company
By
Samantha Cox
•
Jun 26, 2025
Landing a Series A round is a big moment for any AI startup; it’s when things start to get real. With fresh funding in hand, these companies ramp up hiring, especially for key roles like AI engineers and data scientists. Salaries can be impressive, but so are the expectations. In this article, we’ll break down the roles Series A startups are hiring for and what kind of pay you can expect.
Key Takeaways
Series A AI companies focus on scaling operations and product development after securing significant funding, which enables the hiring of specialized professionals.
Roles such as AI engineers, data scientists, and machine learning researchers are critical to the success of Series A AI startups, each contributing unique skills to develop and implement AI solutions.
Salary expectations at Series A AI startups vary widely based on role and experience, with the choice between prioritizing salary or equity being a key consideration for job seekers.
What Is a Series A AI Company?
A Series A AI company is a startup that has successfully secured Series A funding, the first significant round of investment aimed at scaling operations and product development. This funding milestone is crucial as it provides the financial backing needed to enhance AI tools and technologies, ensuring the startup can develop and deploy innovative AI solutions. For example, Eightfold raised $410 million in Series A funding, underscoring the substantial financial support that successful AI startups can attract. Additionally, many companies aim for Series D funding as they continue to grow.
Other notable examples include Deepnote, which received $23.8 million to further its collaborative data science notebooks for AI apps, and Capacity, which secured $61.5 million to enhance its AI-driven workplace solutions.
These examples illustrate the diverse applications and significant growth potential within Series A AI companies. As AI startups transition from initial funding stages to Series A, they focus on refining their AI platforms, expanding their teams, and scaling their AI-powered solutions to meet market demands.
Roles and Responsibilities at Series A AI Companies
Roles at Series A AI companies are as diverse as they are critical to the company’s success. The influx of Series A funding allows startups to hire specialized professionals to drive innovation and product development. Key roles include AI engineers, data scientists, and product managers, each playing a pivotal role in the development and implementation of AI solutions. These professionals are at the forefront of integrating AI technology into practical applications, creating AI-powered chatbots, customer engagement tools, and more.
The responsibilities of these roles are multifaceted:
AI engineers focus on designing and optimizing AI systems.
Data scientists analyze large datasets to identify trends and improve machine learning models.
Product managers oversee the development of AI solutions, ensuring they align with consumer needs and corporate objectives.
Anyone looking to join a Series A AI startup must understand these roles.
AI Engineers
AI engineers are the backbone of AI development in startups. They are responsible for developer and optimizing AI models, ensuring they are efficient and effective. These professionals need a strong foundation in deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to excel in their roles.
Computer vision engineers often specialize in languages like Python, Java, and C/C++, as well as image processing techniques and cloud platforms. NLP engineers, on the other hand, focus on deep learning techniques and libraries such as NLTK and spaCy.
The diverse skill set of AI engineers allows them to create AI-powered solutions, from generative AI models to virtual assistants and autonomous systems. Their expertise in software engineering and AI technology is crucial for the success of AI startups.
Machine Learning Researchers
Machine learning researchers play a critical role in advancing artificial intelligence technologies. They primarily focus on developing advanced AI and large language models. These researchers often specialize in fields like Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computer Vision, which are essential for creating sophisticated AI applications, including AI chatbots and virtual assistants.
Their work involves using deep learning techniques and machine learning algorithms to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve. Machine learning researchers use advanced deep learning models to develop cutting-edge AI solutions applicable in various industries, from healthcare to robotics.
Infrastructure Engineers
Infrastructure engineers are essential for ensuring the robustness and performance of AI systems. They create scalable systems capable of handling large datasets efficiently, which is crucial for AI applications. These engineers focus on key areas such as data security, scalability, and efficiency, ensuring that AI solutions can be deployed effectively in various environments.
Their work directly affects the effectiveness and reliability of AI systems, making them indispensable in the AI development process. Infrastructure engineers ensure the infrastructure can support complex AI models and applications, playing a vital role in AI startups’ success through their services.
Salary Expectations at Series A AI Startups
Job seekers in the AI industry must understand salary expectations at Series A AI startups. As of March 2023, the average salary for AI engineers reached $268,000, setting a strong benchmark for Series A AI startups. Mid-level AI specialists typically earn between $109,040 and $170,000, showcasing a range of salaries based on experience, including the artificial intelligence salary.
Role | Average Salary | Salary Range |
AI Engineer | $268,000 | $147,524 - $268,000 |
Mid-level AI Specialist | $140,000 | $109,040 - $170,000 |
Senior Machine Learning Engineer | $212,928 | $150,000 - $212,928 |
Data Scientist | $120,000 | $64,212 - $133,500 |
Computer Vision Engineer | $140,043 | $100,000 - $140,043 |
NLP Engineer | $170,000 | $120,000 - $170,000 |
This table highlights the earning potential at Series A AI startups, showing that salaries can vary significantly based on the role and experience level.
Factors Affecting Salary
Several factors influence salary levels at early-stage AI companies:
Experience and qualifications are key determinants.
AI engineers possessing advanced degrees like a Master’s or PhD generally earn higher salaries.
Prior internships play a significant role.
The candidate’s overall experience also affects salary.
Moreover, startups are increasingly adopting tiered pay structures to align compensation with the cost of living in different regions, with over 85% adjusting salaries based on employee location. Factors such as the specific role, location, and the startup’s funding stage also significantly influence salary levels.
Comparison with Big Tech Salaries
Salaries at Series A startups are generally lower than those offered by established tech companies, reflecting the more limited resources of startups. However, equity offerings at Series A startups can often compensate for the difference, providing a percentage of ownership that may increase in value with company growth.
AI engineer salaries in major tech hubs are approximately $40,000 less than the average in the USA. Despite this, Series A startups increasingly offer competitive equity packages to attract and retain top talent, making them an attractive option for professionals looking for growth opportunities and potential long-term gains.
Equity vs. Salary
Choosing between salary and equity depends on individual risk tolerance and long-term career goals in the startup environment. Equity in a successful startup can yield significant long-term gains, but it requires a belief in the startup’s potential for growth.
Many candidates must consider their financial needs and the startup’s growth prospects when choosing between salary and equity. Compensation strategies at Series A startups are designed to attract top talent by clearly conveying the value of equity, which can be a strategic tool for long-term financial benefits.
Preparing for Interviews at Series A AI Companies
Preparing for interviews at Series A AI companies requires a combination of technical and behavioral readiness. Practicing coding problems and algorithms is essential for technical assessments. Additionally, showcasing practical experience with AI projects directly related to the position can significantly enhance a candidate’s appeal.
It is crucial to prepare for both technical and behavioral questions, demonstrating problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills, including aspects of prompt engineering. Tailoring your responses to align with the company’s culture and values can also set you apart from other candidates.
How Fonzi Revolutionizes AI Hiring
Fonzi integrates AI with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline the recruitment process and enhance data management. Fonzi improves efficiency and reduces potential biases in the hiring process by automating resume screening and interview scheduling.
Fonzi is designed to reduce bias, protect candidate experience, and speed up the hiring timeline. Its Match Day feature works as a high-speed, efficient way to get candidates in front of top-tier companies, reinforcing a positive, human-centered message that AI helps recruiters focus on people and does not replace them.
Summary
If you’re thinking about joining a Series A AI startup, it helps to understand what you're getting into, what roles are in demand, what the work looks like, and how compensation breaks down. Whether you're an AI engineer, ML researcher, or infrastructure specialist, knowing how salary and equity compare is key to making an informed decision.
Salaries at early-stage startups might not match what big tech offers, but equity can add meaningful long-term value. Choosing between the two really depends on your risk tolerance and career goals. By weighing these factors and preparing well for interviews, you’ll be in a strong position to land a role that supports both your growth and your financial future.
