The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, shows its potential as a major hub for artificial intelligence (AI) through its sector-wide AI adoption, workforce development programs, and technical support systems. AI experts can work in many different sectors, including banking and finance, healthcare, retail, and technology.
AI Careers and Salaries in Charlotte
The Charlotte area employs professionals in the following AI-related positions:
- AI Engineer: In their roles, AI Engineers create and deploy AI models and algorithms to resolve complex problems. The starting salaries for AI Engineers in Charlotte span from $63,000 to $92,000 per year, with an average yearly compensation of $81,000.
- Machine Learning Engineer: Machine Learning Engineers specialize in building and deploying predictive analytics models through machine learning to support data-driven decision-making. The annual salary for Machine Learning Engineers in Charlotte ranges between $117,000 and $169,000, with an average of $144,000 and top professionals earning as much as $200,700.
- Data Scientist: Data Scientists analyze large datasets to derive helpful insights that guide strategic decisions. The annual salary for Data Scientists in Charlotte ranges between $96,000 and $132,800, with an average of $115,000 and the most experienced professionals earning up to $170,000.
- AI Developer: The job of an AI Developer focuses on creating AI applications and integrating them into existing systems. Salaries for AI Developers in Charlotte usually fall between $95,000 and $120,000 per year, averaging approximately $108,000.
- AI Software Engineer: An AI Software Engineer combines software engineering principles with AI methodologies to develop intelligent software solutions. The average salary for an AI Software Engineer in Charlotte is approximately $78,000, which is 14% above the national average for this role.
- Business Intelligence Developer: A Business Intelligence (BI) Developer uses AI to analyze business data and provide useful insights for decision-making. In Charlotte, the average annual salary for a BI Developer is around $100,000 to $110,000.
Charlotte's growing tech scene offers companies a cost-effective advantage over larger tech hubs. The average tech worker salary in Charlotte is approximately $97,000, significantly less than in high-cost-of-living areas like San Francisco, where the average is $193,000. Because of the lower cost of living, tech workers in Charlotte get more bang for their buck, as do the companies that employ them.
The city's expanding AI landscape presents ample opportunities for professionals to advance their careers in a dynamic and supportive environment within the greater tech industry.
AI Industry Trends in Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina, is experiencing significant growth in artificial intelligence (AI), positioning itself as an emerging hub for technological innovation.
Several key trends highlight this development and include the following:
- Surge in Data Center Construction: The demand for AI and cloud services has substantially increased data center construction not only in Charlotte but also in Raleigh. As of the past year, these areas had 113.4 megawatts of data center space under development, more than 15 times the previously reported number. What’s more, up to 90% of this new space is preleased, indicating a strong sense of market confidence.
- Expansion of AI-Focused Companies: The city of Charlotte hosts AI-focused companies like SandStar, which develops computer vision solutions for retail applications. The company's autonomous checkout systems and big data analytics solutions are revolutionizing retail customer experiences and operational efficiency.
- Significant Growth in Tech Employment: Charlotte has experienced a more than 21% increase in high-tech jobs in recent years, more than double the national growth rate. This rapid increase in employment demonstrates why Charlotte is becoming a major technological center.
- Integration of AI Across Various Sectors: The use of AI applications continues to grow across different sectors of Charlotte's business environment. For example, Lowe's—a national home improvement chain headquartered in the area—has deployed autonomous security robots to prevent theft. This application of AI technology shows its ability to improve security systems.
- Challenges in Infrastructure Development: The rapid expansion of AI in tech and other industries has highlighted certain challenges such as the need for development-ready industrial sites and the creation of an adequate power supply to support data centers. Addressing these crucial infrastructure needs is key to sustaining growth in AI advancements.
To sum up, Charlotte's commitment to encouraging AI innovation, building supportive infrastructure, and attracting a skilled workforce has allowed the city to thrive as a fast-growing hub for AI development and application.
AI in Banking and Beyond in Charlotte
Charlotte is a major financial center in the United States. As such, the city demonstrates strong potential for AI job opportunities. The banking and finance sector provides numerous AI-related positions, including Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, AI Developers, and Analytics Managers.
The banking and finance industry, which dominates Charlotte, has started to embrace AI as an essential field of computer science. Bank of America, for example, with its headquarters in the area—alongside Wells Fargo, which maintains a major East Coast hub—uses AI technology for credit scoring and algorithmic trading. Both use AI for customer insights. As a result, the AI talent market in Charlotte continues to grow. Locally-based FinTech startups and payment processing firms are actively seeking AI professionals.
Major employers who seek AI talent in Charlotte include big banks together with TIAA financial services Ally Financial, and technology consulting firms that work with finance clients. Beyond the banking and finance sector, Queen City also hosts energy sector operations. Duke Energy applies AI technology to operate smart grids and perform predictive maintenance tasks. In healthcare, hospital networks use AI technology to analyze patient information while optimizing medical supply chain operations. The city’s developing tech industry encompasses various sectors, including retail analytics and insurtech companies. Lowe’s has joined other companies in recruiting AI professionals who optimize their security, ecommerce, and logistics.
An affordable cost of living makes Charlotte an attractive choice for those working in this field. Experienced AI professionals can earn six-figure salaries despite making less money than their peers in San Francisco. As an AI tech worker, you’ll get more bang for your buck in Charlotte, as will your employer.