Graph Neural Network Researcher.
Jersey City.
$230,000
median salary, 22% above the national average
$171,000 to $304,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Graph Neural Network Researchers actually make in Jersey City: $171,000 at the 25th percentile, $230,000 at the median, and $304,000 at the 75th. That is 22% 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 $207,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$150,000
to $184,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$196,000
to $242,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$253,000
to $299,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$288,000
to $357,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $47,000 to the total package.
Base
$230,000
Equity
$25,000
Bonus
$17,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $277,000
How Jersey City compares
Jersey City, NJ
$230,000
Cost of living: 20% above average
National Average
$188,000
Jersey City is $42,000 above
Graph Neural Network Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Jersey City
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Graph Neural Network Researcher 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. 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 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. 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: 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 $230,000, 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 Graph Neural Network Researchers in Jersey City runs from $171,000 to $304,000. 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 ML Engineer in Jersey City earns $231,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Jersey City is Distinguished Engineer at $384,000
Common questions.
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