AI Model Evaluator.
Sioux Falls.
$106,000
median salary, 12% below the national average
$80,000 to $137,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median AI Model Evaluator salary in Sioux Falls is $106,000, 12% below the national average. Entry level starts near $80,000. Experienced professionals push past $137,000. Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city and a growing financial services hub, home to major credit card operations for Citibank and Wells Fargo. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $95,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$69,000
to $85,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$90,000
to $111,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$117,000
to $138,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$133,000
to $164,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $46,000 to the total package.
Base
$106,000
Equity
$28,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $152,000
How Sioux Falls compares
Sioux Falls, SD
$106,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$120,000
Sioux Falls is $14,000 below
AI Model Evaluator salary by city
Salary by role in Sioux Falls
What you should know
If you are interviewing for AI Model Evaluator roles in Sioux Falls, here is what you are walking into. Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city and a growing financial services hub, home to major credit card operations for Citibank and Wells Fargo. The city's no state income tax and very low cost of living create exceptional take home pay ratios. Healthcare and agriculture round out the economy. Compensation scales with expertise in evaluation methodology design, benchmark creation, and statistical rigor. Evaluators who can design domain-specific assessments for frontier models and quantify safety metrics command premiums. Experience with red-teaming, adversarial testing, and regulatory compliance evaluation adds significant value.
Junior evaluators start at $80,000 to $95,000 running standard benchmarks. Mid-level evaluators designing custom evaluation suites reach $115,000 to $140,000. Senior evaluators leading safety assessment programs earn $145,000 to $180,000. Directors of AI evaluation at frontier labs can exceed $220,000 in total compensation. In Sioux Falls, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 15% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at AI safety companies and frontier labs adds $20,000 to $70,000 annually. Bonuses of 10% to 15% are typical. Research publication budgets and conference travel are common perks that support career development. And on the tax side: south Dakota has no state income tax. Sioux Falls has no city income tax. This zero income tax environment is a major draw for high earners seeking maximum take home pay. When someone quotes you $106,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Use the zero income tax advantage in negotiations. Sioux Falls employers know this is a major recruiting tool and will frame compensation accordingly. The range for AI Model Evaluators in Sioux Falls runs from $80,000 to $137,000. 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 Backend Developer in Sioux Falls earns $107,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Sioux Falls is Distinguished Engineer at $292,000
Common questions.
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