Privacy / Data Counsel.
Providence.
$202,000
median salary, 2% above the national average
$155,000 to $263,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
A Privacy / Data Counsel in Providence earns a median of $202,000 in 2026. That is 2% above the national average. The range runs from $155,000 to $263,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. The expanding regulatory landscape across GDPR, CCPA, and emerging state privacy laws drives intense demand.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $182,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$131,000
to $162,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$172,000
to $212,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$222,000
to $263,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$253,000
to $313,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $53,000 to the total package.
Base
$202,000
Equity
$30,000
Bonus
$19,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $255,000
How Providence compares
Providence, RI
$202,000
Cost of living: 4% above average
National Average
$198,000
Providence is $4,000 above
Privacy / Data Counsel salary by city
Salary by role in Providence
What you should know
Here is what the Privacy / Data Counsel market actually looks like in Providence. 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. The expanding regulatory landscape across GDPR, CCPA, and emerging state privacy laws drives intense demand. Counsel with CIPP certification, cross-border transfer expertise, and AI governance experience command the highest premiums. Industry matters too, with fintech and health tech paying above average.
Privacy analysts start at $85,000 to $110,000. Mid-level privacy counsel earn $150,000 to $200,000. Chief Privacy Officers and VP-level privacy leaders at large tech firms earn $250,000 to $380,000 with substantial equity grants. 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. Bonuses range from 15 to 25% at tech companies, with equity packages adding $50,000 to $150,000 in annual value. Many roles include privacy conference budgets, IAPP membership, and continuing education allowances. 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 $202,000, 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 Privacy / Data Counsels in Providence runs from $155,000 to $263,000. 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 AI Fintech Engineer in Providence earns $201,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Providence is Chief AI Officer at $332,000
Common questions.
Privacy / Data Counsel salary in other cities
Other salaries in Providence
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.