Head of AI Research.
Salt Lake City.
$262,000
median salary, 3% below the national average
$194,000 to $344,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Salt Lake City is 2% cheaper than the national average. For Head of AI Researchs, that shakes out to a median of $262,000, with the full range spanning $194,000 to $344,000. Publication record and research team size are primary salary determinants. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $236,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$170,000
to $210,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$223,000
to $275,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$288,000
to $341,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$328,000
to $406,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $73,000 to the total package.
Base
$262,000
Equity
$42,000
Bonus
$26,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $335,000
How Salt Lake City compares
Salt Lake City, UT
$262,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$270,000
Salt Lake City is $8,000 below
Head of AI Research salary by city
Salary by role in Salt Lake City
What you should know
Here is what the Head of AI Research market actually looks like in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City anchors the Silicon Slopes tech corridor, home to companies like Qualtrics, Pluralsight, and Domo. The region has attracted significant venture investment and tech relocations. Utah's business friendly environment, young educated workforce, and outdoor lifestyle make it a rising destination for tech professionals seeking affordability without sacrificing career growth. 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 Salt Lake City, 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: utah has a flat 4.65% state income tax. Salt Lake City imposes no additional city income tax. The moderate rate combined with affordable living costs results in strong net compensation. When someone quotes you $262,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Silicon Slopes growth when negotiating. Local employers are increasingly matching 85 to 95% of Seattle or Bay Area salaries to compete for tech talent. The range for Head of AI Researchs in Salt Lake City runs from $194,000 to $344,000. 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 CFO in Salt Lake City earns $265,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Salt Lake City is Chief AI Officer at $292,000
Common questions.
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