AI Materials Scientist.
Minneapolis.
$148,000
median salary, 6% above the national average
$111,000 to $191,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what AI Materials Scientists actually make in Minneapolis: $111,000 at the 25th percentile, $148,000 at the median, and $191,000 at the 75th. That is 6% above the national average. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $133,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$96,000
to $118,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$126,000
to $155,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$163,000
to $192,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$185,000
to $229,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $68,000 to the total package.
Base
$148,000
Equity
$41,000
Bonus
$18,000
Signing
$9,000
Estimated total: $216,000
How Minneapolis compares
Minneapolis, MN
$148,000
Cost of living: 5% above average
National Average
$140,000
Minneapolis is $8,000 above
AI Materials Scientist salary by city
Salary by role in Minneapolis
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI Materials Scientist offer in Minneapolis, understand the terrain. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. The city's strong corporate base creates consistent demand across finance, healthcare, retail tech, and supply chain roles. Quality of life is high, and employers offer competitive salaries to offset the cold winters. Compensation reflects the rare combination of materials science domain expertise and ML research capability. Scientists who can apply graph neural networks and generative models to accelerate materials discovery for batteries, semiconductors, or catalysts earn premiums. Publication record in both materials science and ML venues adds value.
Postdoc AI materials researchers start at $95,000 to $115,000. Mid-level scientists with deployed materials discovery systems reach $132,000 to $160,000. Senior scientists leading AI materials programs earn $168,000 to $205,000. Directors of computational materials at tech or energy companies can reach $225,000 to $280,000. In Minneapolis, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at materials AI companies adds $15,000 to $60,000 annually. Government lab positions offer strong benefits and stability. Bonuses of 10% to 15% are standard. Research budgets including compute and lab access are significant non-monetary benefits. And on the tax side: minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85%, one of the highest state rates. There is no city income tax in Minneapolis, but the state burden significantly reduces take home pay. When someone quotes you $148,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize retention risk when negotiating. Minneapolis employers know that remote opportunities from warmer, lower tax states are a constant competitive threat. The range for AI Materials Scientists in Minneapolis runs from $111,000 to $191,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AR/VR Developer in Minneapolis earns $147,000 (1% less)
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- See all ai research roles tracked in Orbyt Intelligence
Common questions.
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