Cognitive AI Researcher.
Des Moines.
$162,000
median salary, 12% below the national average
$121,000 to $215,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Cognitive AI Researcher in Des Moines earns a median of $162,000 in 2026. That is 12% below the national average. The range runs from $121,000 to $215,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Cognitive AI researchers blend cognitive science with machine learning, a niche specialty with limited but growing demand.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $146,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$105,000
to $130,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$138,000
to $170,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$178,000
to $211,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$203,000
to $251,000
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
$162,000
Equity
$23,000
Bonus
$15,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $203,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$162,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$185,000
Des Moines is $23,000 below
Cognitive AI Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
Here is what the Cognitive AI Researcher market actually looks like in Des Moines. 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. 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 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. 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: 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 $162,000, 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 Cognitive AI Researchers in Des Moines runs from $121,000 to $215,000. 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 Security & Red Teaming Specialist in Des Moines earns $163,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Chief AI Officer at $277,000
Common questions.
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