Research Scientist Salary Guide 2026
R&D for generative AI foundational models.
National Median: $162,080
Range: $130K – $318K
Avg Total Comp
$190,000
Experience Level
ML Research Scientists lead pay; PhD-track roles at top labs exceed $400k TC.
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High Demand Track
Market demand for Research Scientist is at an all-time high. Join the Vetta Marketplace to access verified offers from employers hiring at these benchmarks.
Metro Area Breakdown
20 MarketsSan Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA
CalculatedMedian: $218,808
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA
CalculatedMedian: $215,566
New York-Newark-Jersey City NY-NJ-PA
CalculatedMedian: $200,979
Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH
CalculatedMedian: $197,738
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA
CalculatedMedian: $194,496
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV
CalculatedMedian: $194,496
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA
CalculatedMedian: $194,496
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad CA
CalculatedMedian: $186,392
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN-WI
CalculatedMedian: $178,288
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood CO
CalculatedMedian: $175,046
Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown TX
CalculatedMedian: $170,184
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington TX
CalculatedMedian: $170,184
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta GA
CalculatedMedian: $166,942
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach FL
CalculatedMedian: $165,322
Raleigh-Durham-Cary NC
CalculatedMedian: $162,080
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI
CalculatedMedian: $158,838
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia NC-SC
CalculatedMedian: $158,838
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler AZ
CalculatedMedian: $157,218
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MI
CalculatedMedian: $155,597
Salt Lake City UT
CalculatedMedian: $153,976
Benchmarks marked "Calculated" are derived from the national median using verified geographic cost-of-living multipliers. Direct survey data is used where available.