As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an AI Research Scientist V in the United States is $199,042 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $96.
However, an AI Research Scientist V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Smart Recruiting
An AI Research Scientist V'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 Research Scientist V'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 |
|---|---|---|
| AI Research Scientist II | 2-4 years | $107,468 |
| AI Research Scientist III | 4-7 years | $128,824 |
| AI Research Scientist IV | 7+ years | $156,215 |
| AI Research Scientist V | 7-10 years | $199,042 |
| AI Research Scientist VI | 10-12 years | $220,108 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Research Scientist Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
AI Research Scientist V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $222,627. While startup companies pay approximate $188,276.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $188,276 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $199,131 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $214,989 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $222,627 |
For AI Research Scientist V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, AI Research Scientist positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view AI Research Scientist V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $238,850 | $115.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an AI Research Scientist V'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.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026For an AI Research Scientist V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the AI Research Scientist VI role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $220,108 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for AI Research Scientist V and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current AI Research Scientist V job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
An AI Research Scientist V's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an AI Research Scientist V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an AI Research Scientist V is $251,052.
The highest pay for AI Research Scientist V is $224,822.
The lowest pay for AI Research Scientist V is $158,995.
Conducts research to advance AI algorithms, techniques, and methodologies. Develops algorithms and models for solving complex AI problems, such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, or robotics. Designs experiments, collects and analyzes data, and develops prototypes to test new ideas and theories. Explores new approaches, refines existing techniques, and optimizes algorithms for performance and scalability. Stays up to date with the latest advancements in AI research and incorporates new techniques into ongoing projects. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science or related degree. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.
The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for AI Research Scientist V roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
