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Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist in the United States is $99,759 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

However, an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $116,210
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $89,048 to $108,370
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,296
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist Salaries

An Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $64,290
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,928
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $100,503
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $114,569
  • Expert (over 8 years): $123,270
Levels Salary
Employee ... Level Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist$64,290
Employee ... Level Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist$82,928
Artificia... Level Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist$100,503
Employee ... Level Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist$114,569
Employee ... Level Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist$123,270
View as Graph

How Do Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Artificial Intelligence Research Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $110,453.
  • California: $110,034.
  • Massachusetts: $108,568.

Top Paying Cities for Artificial Intelligence Research Scientists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $125,826
  • San Francisco: $124,448
  • Oakland: $121,826

What Skills Can Increase an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.04% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 1.89% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
  • HRIS (Mentioned in 0.79% Job Postings): HRIS is a management system designed specifically to provide managers with information to make HR decisions. Is a system that lets you keep track of all your employees and information about them.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.04%
Case Management 1.89%
HRIS 0.79%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • HRIS: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Labor Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $112,728
13%
HRIS $111,730
12%
Labor Relations $110,732
11%
Get Latest Data

Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$109,735$53.010%

How Education impacts an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Artificial Intelligence Research Scientists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $97,547 and $103,571).

Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.2%
High School 6.2%
Associates 2.5%
Bachelors 55.6%
Masters 33.3%
Doctorate 2.5%
View as Graph

Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist'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 September 01, 2026
$89,048
Average $99,759/year
$108,370
$7,421
Average $8,313/month
$9,031
$1,712
Average $1,918/week
$2,084
$43
Average $48/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $108,370 $9,031 $2,084 $52
Average $99,759 $8,313 $1,918 $48
25th Percentile $89,048 $7,421 $1,712 $43

Most common benefits for Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist

Here are companies hiring for Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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