Graph Neural Network Researcher.
North Charleston.
$178,000
median salary, 5% below the national average
$133,000 to $235,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Graph Neural Network Researcher offer in North Charleston, SC, here is the reality: $133,000 to $235,000, with $178,000 as the midpoint. 5% below the national average. GNN researchers are valued in drug discovery, social network analysis, and fraud detection, with pharma and fintech paying the highest premiums. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $160,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$116,000
to $142,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$151,000
to $187,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$196,000
to $231,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$223,000
to $276,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $37,000 to the total package.
Base
$178,000
Equity
$20,000
Bonus
$13,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $215,000
How North Charleston compares
North Charleston, SC
$178,000
Cost of living: 6% below average
National Average
$188,000
North Charleston is $10,000 below
Graph Neural Network Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in North Charleston
What you should know
Here is what the Graph Neural Network Researcher market actually looks like in North Charleston. North Charleston is the industrial and manufacturing heart of the Lowcountry, home to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner assembly facility and the Charleston Naval Complex. The area has attracted significant defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing investment. Growth in logistics driven by the expanding port continues to drive employment. GNN researchers are valued in drug discovery, social network analysis, and fraud detection, with pharma and fintech paying the highest premiums. Experience with molecular property prediction or large-scale graph learning at production scale adds 10 to 20% to offers. Publication at venues like NeurIPS or KDD further strengthens negotiating position.
Junior GNN researchers start at $140,000 to $168,000 after completing a PhD. Senior researchers specializing in graph learning earn $190,000 to $250,000. Staff scientists and research leads reach $260,000 to $350,000, while principal scientists at major drug discovery firms can earn $370,000 to $450,000. In North Charleston, 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. Biotech and pharma companies frequently offer signing bonuses of $25,000 to $60,000 alongside equity or stock options. Tech firms provide RSU grants worth 25 to 45% of base salary, with annual refreshers tied to performance ratings. And on the tax side: south Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.4%. North Charleston has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by affordable housing and strong employer demand. When someone quotes you $178,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight aerospace manufacturing experience. Boeing and defense contractors in North Charleston pay nationally competitive rates for specialized engineering skills. The range for Graph Neural Network Researchers in North Charleston runs from $133,000 to $235,000. 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 Business Development Manager in North Charleston earns $179,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in North Charleston is Distinguished Engineer at $301,000
Common questions.
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