Junior Vulnerability Researcher.
Albany.
$112,000
median salary, 1% below the national average
$87,000 to $145,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Albany is 4% cheaper than the national average. For Junior Vulnerability Researchers, that shakes out to a median of $112,000, with the full range spanning $87,000 to $145,000. Junior Vulnerability Researcher compensation is driven by publication record, domain specialization, and whether the work involves production model training or applied research. 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 $101,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$73,000
to $90,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$95,000
to $118,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$123,000
to $146,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$140,000
to $174,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $30,000 to the total package.
Base
$112,000
Equity
$17,000
Bonus
$11,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $142,000
How Albany compares
Albany, NY
$112,000
Cost of living: 4% below average
National Average
$113,000
Albany is $1,000 below
Junior Vulnerability Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Albany
What you should know
Here is what the Junior Vulnerability Researcher market actually looks like in Albany. Albany is New York's capital and a growing semiconductor hub, with GlobalFoundries and the SUNY Polytechnic Institute driving chip manufacturing employment. State government is the largest employer. The cost of living is dramatically lower than NYC while still offering strong tech salaries. Junior Vulnerability Researcher compensation is driven by publication record, domain specialization, and whether the work involves production model training or applied research. Base salary carries most of the total compensation, with bonuses adding roughly 8% in a typical year. Within tech-sector Junior Vulnerability Researchers specifically, employer tier (FAANG and frontier-AI labs vs mid-stage startups vs traditional enterprise) drives 67%+ variance across the compensation band.
Junior Vulnerability Researchers progress Research Engineer → Senior → Staff → Principal → Distinguished over 8 to 15 years. Frontier-AI labs compress this ladder — a strong PhD can land at L5/Senior directly. The VP Research track diverges around year 10 for those who choose to lead labs. Junior Vulnerability Researchers specifically are entry-level; the first 2 to 3 years build foundational skills before the mid-level transition. In Albany, 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 for Junior Vulnerability Researchers runs roughly $122K at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~8% of base). Base salary carries most of the compensation; benefits (healthcare, 401(k) match, PTO) add an estimated 15–25% in imputed value on top. At tech companies specifically, equity and sign-on are often the largest delta between offers — two roles with matching base can differ by $100K+ at total when equity is included. And on the tax side: new York State income tax rates reach 10.9%. Albany has no additional city income tax (unlike NYC). The lower cost of living and absence of city tax makes take home pay more competitive than downstate. When someone quotes you $112,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference the semiconductor investment corridor. GlobalFoundries and related suppliers are paying nationally competitive rates to attract engineering talent to the Capital Region. The range for Junior Vulnerability Researchers in Albany runs from $87,000 to $145,000. 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 IT Project Manager in Albany earns $111,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Albany is Technical Fellow at $346,000
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