Cognitive AI Researcher.
Cheyenne.
$166,000
median salary, 10% below the national average
$124,000 to $220,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Cognitive AI Researcher salary in Cheyenne is $166,000, 10% below the national average. Entry level starts near $124,000. Experienced professionals push past $220,000. Cheyenne is Wyoming's capital, with an economy driven by government, military operations at F. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $149,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$108,000
to $133,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$141,000
to $174,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$183,000
to $216,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$208,000
to $257,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $41,000 to the total package.
Base
$166,000
Equity
$23,000
Bonus
$15,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $207,000
How Cheyenne compares
Cheyenne, WY
$166,000
Cost of living: 13% below average
National Average
$185,000
Cheyenne is $19,000 below
Cognitive AI Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Cheyenne
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Cognitive AI Researcher roles in Cheyenne, here is what you are walking into. Cheyenne is Wyoming's capital, with an economy driven by government, military operations at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, and a growing data center industry attracted by Wyoming's no income tax and low energy costs. The city is small but offers affordable living and emerging tech infrastructure opportunities. Cognitive AI researchers blend cognitive science with machine learning, a niche specialty with limited but growing demand. Salary variance depends heavily on employer type, with tech companies paying 25 to 40% more than academic labs. Experience with cognitive architectures, memory-augmented networks, or human-AI interaction design increases compensation significantly.
Junior cognitive AI researchers earn $138,000 to $165,000 after a PhD in cognitive science or AI. Mid-career researchers with interdisciplinary impact reach $185,000 to $245,000. Senior scientists leading cognitive modeling teams earn $255,000 to $340,000, while research directors can exceed $380,000. In Cheyenne, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 13% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Industry roles include standard tech equity packages of 20 to 35% of base salary. Academic-adjacent positions at research institutes may offer lower base pay but include generous sabbatical programs, publication bonuses, and conference travel budgets worth $15,000 to $30,000 annually. And on the tax side: wyoming has no state income tax. Cheyenne has no city income tax. The zero income tax environment combined with very low living costs creates exceptional take home pay ratios. When someone quotes you $166,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate data center or federal contractor rates. Cheyenne employers in these sectors benchmark against national pay scales and offer competitive packages to attract talent. The range for Cognitive AI Researchers in Cheyenne runs from $124,000 to $220,000. 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 Safety Researcher in Cheyenne earns $165,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Cheyenne is Chief AI Officer at $272,000
Common questions.
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