Machine Learning Researcher.
Providence.
$194,000
median salary, 3% above the national average
$144,000 to $255,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Providence is 4% more expensive than the national average. For Machine Learning Researchers, that shakes out to a median of $194,000, with the full range spanning $144,000 to $255,000. Publication record in top-tier venues like NeurIPS, ICML, and ICLR is the strongest salary differentiator. 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 $175,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$126,000
to $155,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$165,000
to $204,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$213,000
to $252,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$243,000
to $301,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $81,000 to the total package.
Base
$194,000
Equity
$49,000
Bonus
$20,000
Signing
$12,000
Estimated total: $275,000
How Providence compares
Providence, RI
$194,000
Cost of living: 4% above average
National Average
$188,000
Providence is $6,000 above
Machine Learning Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Providence
What you should know
The Machine Learning Researcher landscape in Providence is not what most salary sites will tell you. Providence sits between Boston and New York, benefiting from both labor markets. The city's economy is driven by healthcare, higher education, and a growing design and creative sector anchored by RISD. Defense and marine industries also contribute to the local job market. Publication record in top-tier venues like NeurIPS, ICML, and ICLR is the strongest salary differentiator. Researchers with first-author papers at these conferences command 15 to 25% premiums. Industry labs at major tech firms pay significantly more than academic positions or smaller startups.
Research interns start at $45,000 to $65,000 for summer positions. Junior researchers earn $140,000 to $170,000, while senior researchers reach $200,000 to $280,000. Principal researchers and research directors at major labs can exceed $400,000 in base salary alone. In Providence, 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 at top labs often doubles base salary through equity grants and annual bonuses of 20 to 40%. Many positions include conference travel budgets, compute credits, and sabbatical programs for independent research. And on the tax side: rhode Island's top income tax rate is 5.99%. Providence has no city income tax. The state rate is moderate for the Northeast, and proximity to Boston creates competitive salary pressure. When someone quotes you $194,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Boston salary benchmarks. Providence employers know they compete for talent with Boston and will often offer 85 to 95% of Boston rates to attract professionals. The range for Machine Learning Researchers in Providence runs from $144,000 to $255,000. 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 NLP Engineer in Providence earns $195,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Providence is Chief AI Officer at $332,000
Common questions.
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Other salaries in Providence
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