Head of Research.
Seattle.
$278,000
median salary, 26% above the national average
$218,000 to $362,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Head of Research offer in Seattle, WA, here is the reality: $218,000 to $362,000, with $278,000 as the midpoint. 26% above the national average. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $250,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$181,000
to $222,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$236,000
to $292,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$306,000
to $361,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$348,000
to $431,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $70,000 to the total package.
Base
$278,000
Equity
$39,000
Bonus
$25,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $348,000
How Seattle compares
Seattle, WA
$278,000
Cost of living: 24% above average
National Average
$220,000
Seattle is $58,000 above
Head of Research salary by city
Salary by role in Seattle
What you should know
Seattle is home to Amazon, Microsoft, and a dense cluster of cloud computing, gaming, and AI companies. The presence of major tech headquarters drives some of the highest engineering salaries outside the Bay Area. Seattle's job market is particularly strong for cloud infrastructure, machine learning, and enterprise software roles. That is the backdrop for every Head of Research offer you will see here.
One thing people overlook: taxes. Washington State has no personal income tax, which significantly boosts take home pay. However, state and local sales taxes are among the highest in the country at roughly 10.25%. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.
On negotiation: Remind employers that no state income tax makes your effective compensation higher. You can accept a slightly lower gross salary and still take home more than in California. The range for Head of Researchs in Seattle runs from $218,000 to $362,000. 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 Director of Machine Learning in Seattle earns $279,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Seattle is Principal Quantitative Researcher at $443,000
Common questions.
Head of Research salary in other cities
Other salaries in Seattle
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