Head of AI Research.
Burlington.
$286,000
median salary, 6% above the national average
$212,000 to $376,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Head of AI Research pay in Burlington ranges from $212,000 to $376,000 in 2026. The median is $286,000, 6% above the national average. Burlington is Vermont's largest city and a small but growing hub for technology, healthcare, and sustainable industries. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $257,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$186,000
to $229,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$243,000
to $300,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$315,000
to $372,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$358,000
to $443,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $81,000 to the total package.
Base
$286,000
Equity
$46,000
Bonus
$29,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $367,000
How Burlington compares
Burlington, VT
$286,000
Cost of living: 6% above average
National Average
$270,000
Burlington is $16,000 above
Head of AI Research salary by city
Salary by role in Burlington
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Head of AI Research offer in Burlington, understand the terrain. 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. Publication record and research team size are primary salary determinants. Leaders of labs producing top-tier conference papers with 20 or more researchers earn at the upper end. Companies competing directly with frontier AI labs pay substantial premiums to attract talent. A strong track record of research-to-production transfer adds 10 to 15% to offers.
Principal research scientists earning $180,000 to $240,000 advance to this head role at $200,000 to $355,000. Career progression leads to VP of AI Research at $250,000 to $370,000 or Chief Scientist positions. Some heads of research found AI research labs with venture backing and significant founder equity. 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. Total compensation reaches $450,000 to $900,000 including significant equity grants, research milestone bonuses, and conference travel budgets exceeding $50,000 annually. Retention packages are common given intense competition from frontier AI labs and well-funded startups. 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 $286,000, 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 Head of AI Researchs in Burlington runs from $212,000 to $376,000. 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 VP of Engineering in Burlington earns $287,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Burlington is Chief AI Officer at $329,000
Common questions.
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