AI Safety Researcher.
Des Moines.
$173,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$128,000 to $226,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what AI Safety Researchers actually make in Des Moines: $128,000 at the 25th percentile, $173,000 at the median, and $226,000 at the 75th. That is 11% below the national average. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. 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 $156,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$112,000
to $138,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$147,000
to $182,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$190,000
to $225,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$216,000
to $268,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $77,000 to the total package.
Base
$173,000
Equity
$47,000
Bonus
$20,000
Signing
$10,000
Estimated total: $250,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$173,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$195,000
Des Moines is $22,000 below
AI Safety Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI Safety Researcher offer in Des Moines, understand the terrain. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The metro's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. Tech employment is growing as insurtech companies expand. Research depth in alignment, interpretability, and robustness testing commands top pay. Researchers who publish at leading conferences and contribute to policy frameworks are especially valued. Experience with formal verification, scalable oversight, and red teaming frontier models drives premiums. Government and defense sector roles offer additional compensation.
Junior safety researchers start at $130,000 to $160,000. Mid level researchers with published work earn $175,000 to $220,000. Senior researchers reach $220,000 to $290,000. Principal researchers and safety team leads at frontier labs can exceed $400,000 in total compensation. In Des Moines, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at frontier labs can represent 25 to 50% of total compensation. Bonuses of 15 to 30% are typical at research organizations. Signing bonuses of $30,000 to $80,000 are common. Benefits include sabbatical programs, publication support, and research travel funding. And on the tax side: iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low tax rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. When someone quotes you $173,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against national insurance industry pay scales. Des Moines insurance employers must compete with remote offers from larger metros and will often match. The range for AI Safety Researchers in Des Moines runs from $128,000 to $226,000. 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 AI Business Development Manager in Des Moines earns $172,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Chief AI Officer at $277,000
Common questions.
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