Data Architect (AI/ML).
Jersey City.
$205,000
median salary, 15% above the national average
$156,000 to $267,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Data Architect (AI/ML)s actually make in Jersey City: $156,000 at the 25th percentile, $205,000 at the median, and $267,000 at the 75th. That is 15% above the national average. Jersey City has become a major financial technology hub, with Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and numerous fintech startups establishing offices. 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 $185,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$133,000
to $164,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$174,000
to $215,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$226,000
to $267,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$256,000
to $318,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $54,000 to the total package.
Base
$205,000
Equity
$31,000
Bonus
$19,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $259,000
How Jersey City compares
Jersey City, NJ
$205,000
Cost of living: 20% above average
National Average
$178,000
Jersey City is $27,000 above
Data Architect (AI/ML) salary by city
Salary by role in Jersey City
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Data Architect (AI/ML) offer in Jersey City, understand the terrain. Jersey City has become a major financial technology hub, with Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and numerous fintech startups establishing offices. The city offers Manhattan-adjacent salaries with slightly lower costs. Tech employment has surged as companies seek NYC-area talent at reduced overhead. 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 Jersey City, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 20% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
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: new Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75%. Jersey City has a payroll tax but no separate city income tax. The high state rate makes salary negotiation especially important. When someone quotes you $205,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against NYC salaries. Jersey City employers offer 90 to 95% of Manhattan pay, and the lower commuting costs can make it a net positive. The range for Data Architect (AI/ML)s in Jersey City runs from $156,000 to $267,000. 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 Robotics AI Engineer in Jersey City earns $204,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Jersey City is Distinguished Engineer at $384,000
Common questions.
Data Architect (AI/ML) salary in other cities
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