SignalHire Reveals Best US Cities for AI Jobs in 2026: Top 10 Markets Capture 65% of National Demand

Analysis of 850M+ professional profiles shows California claims six of top ten AI hiring markets, while salary premiums reach $200K+ in leading hubs

CA, UNITED STATES, February 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- SignalHire has released comprehensive geographic analysis of the US artificial intelligence job market, revealing dramatic concentration in just ten metropolitan areas that account for over 65% of all AI job postings nationwide.
Top 10 Cities for AI Jobs

Based on employer search data across SignalHire's 850M+ professional database:

1. San Jose, CA – ML Engineer median: $152,600
2. New York, NY – ML Engineer median: $151,100
3. Mountain View, CA – ML Engineer median: $164,500
4. Palo Alto, CA – ML Engineer median: $138,400
5. Houston, TX – ML Engineer median: $140,000-$185,000
6. San Francisco, CA – ML Engineer median: $162,900
7. Boston, MA – ML Engineer median: $165,950
8. Redmond, WA – ML Engineer median: $190,000-$220,000
9. Sunnyvale, CA – ML Engineer median: $164,500
10. Seattle, WA – ML Engineer median: $197,400

Regional Specializations

The analysis reveals distinct market characteristics:

- San Jose: Research-intensive algorithmic development
- New York: Production infrastructure and financial services AI
- Boston: Healthcare/biotech applications with academic collaboration
- Houston: Energy sector industrial AI applications
- Seattle/Redmond: Cloud services and generative AI

Market Context

McKinsey research projects demand for AI specialists will grow 40% annually through 2027. The geographic concentration creates intense competition in top markets while leaving opportunities in emerging tech centers relatively untapped.

Cost-of-Living Considerations

Houston emerged as a notable outlier, offering competitive salaries ($140K-$185K) with a rent index of just 44.9 compared to New York's baseline of 100—delivering superior purchasing power despite nominally lower compensation.

About SignalHire

SignalHire provides contact intelligence solutions with 850M+ professional profiles for recruiting, sales, and talent acquisition teams worldwide.

Media Contact

Email: press@signalhire.com
Website: https://www.signalhire.com
Blog: https://blog.signalhire.com

Mary Ivory
SignalHire Sp. z o. o.
+1 209-437-3846
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
YouTube
X

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.