AI UX Researcher.
Sioux Falls.
$117,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$89,000 to $155,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what AI UX Researchers actually make in Sioux Falls: $89,000 at the 25th percentile, $117,000 at the median, and $155,000 at the 75th. That is 15% below the national average. 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 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 $105,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$76,000
to $94,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$99,000
to $123,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$129,000
to $152,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$146,000
to $181,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $48,000 to the total package.
Base
$117,000
Equity
$29,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $165,000
How Sioux Falls compares
Sioux Falls, SD
$117,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$138,000
Sioux Falls is $21,000 below
AI UX Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Sioux Falls
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI UX Researcher offer in Sioux Falls, understand the terrain. 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 the complexity of AI systems being studied and the employer's research investment. Researchers at major AI labs and tech companies earn the most. Expertise in measuring trust, explainability, and human-AI collaboration effectiveness commands premium salaries.
Junior UX researchers on AI teams start around $82,000. Senior AI UX researchers earn $130,000 to $155,000. Research directors or heads of human-AI interaction research reach $200,000 to $260,000 at major tech companies. 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. Tech company RSUs add significant value to total compensation packages. Research-focused roles often include generous conference travel budgets and publication bonuses. Some companies offer sabbatical programs for extended research projects. 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 $117,000, 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 UX Researchers in Sioux Falls runs from $89,000 to $155,000. 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 Software Engineer in Sioux Falls earns $116,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Sioux Falls is Chief AI Officer at $253,000
Common questions.
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