Data Architect (AI/ML).
Burlington.
$181,000
median salary, 2% above the national average
$137,000 to $236,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Data Architect (AI/ML) offer in Burlington, VT, here is the reality: $137,000 to $236,000, with $181,000 as the midpoint. 2% above the national average. Data architects specializing in AI and ML systems command premium pay for designing scalable data platforms that support model training and serving. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $163,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$118,000
to $145,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$154,000
to $190,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$199,000
to $235,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$226,000
to $281,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $48,000 to the total package.
Base
$181,000
Equity
$27,000
Bonus
$17,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $229,000
How Burlington compares
Burlington, VT
$181,000
Cost of living: 6% above average
National Average
$178,000
Burlington is $3,000 above
Data Architect (AI/ML) salary by city
Salary by role in Burlington
What you should know
The Data Architect (AI/ML) landscape in Burlington is not what most salary sites will tell you. Burlington is Vermont's largest city and a small but growing hub for technology, healthcare, and sustainable industries. The University of Vermont drives education and research employment. The city attracts remote workers and small tech companies seeking New England quality of life at lower costs than Boston. Data architects specializing in AI and ML systems command premium pay for designing scalable data platforms that support model training and serving. Experience architecting lakehouse solutions and real-time feature stores is highly valued. Enterprise experience at companies with complex data governance requirements adds 15 to 25% to compensation.
Junior data architects earn $135,000 to $160,000. Architects with 5 to 8 years of experience designing ML data systems reach $178,000 to $232,000. Principal architects earn $240,000 to $320,000, while chief data architects and VP-level roles can command $350,000 to $450,000. In Burlington, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Senior data architects receive equity packages of 20 to 35% of base salary at tech companies. Consulting data architects can earn $200 to $350 per hour as independent contractors. Annual bonuses range from 15 to 25%, with some firms offering architecture patent bonuses. And on the tax side: vermont's top income tax rate is 8.75%, one of the highest in the nation. Burlington has no city income tax, but the state burden requires careful salary planning. When someone quotes you $181,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work flexibility. Burlington's lifestyle appeal is a retention tool, but employers know they must offer competitive pay to offset Vermont's high tax rate. The range for Data Architect (AI/ML)s in Burlington runs from $137,000 to $236,000. 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
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Common questions.
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