Quantitative AI Researcher.
Jersey City.
$245,000
median salary, 23% above the national average
$184,000 to $318,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Quantitative AI Researcher in Jersey City earns a median of $245,000 in 2026. That is 23% above the national average. The range runs from $184,000 to $318,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Compensation reflects the direct revenue impact of research.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $221,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$159,000
to $196,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$208,000
to $257,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$270,000
to $319,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$306,000
to $380,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $61,000 to the total package.
Base
$245,000
Equity
$34,000
Bonus
$22,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $306,000
How Jersey City compares
Jersey City, NJ
$245,000
Cost of living: 20% above average
National Average
$200,000
Jersey City is $45,000 above
Quantitative AI Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Jersey City
What you should know
Here is what the Quantitative AI Researcher market actually looks like in Jersey City. Jersey City has become a major financial technology hub, with Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and numerous fintech startups establishing offices. The city offers Manhattan-adjacent salaries with slightly lower costs. Tech employment has surged as companies seek NYC-area talent at reduced overhead. Compensation reflects the direct revenue impact of research. Researchers who develop novel AI signals with demonstrated predictive power earn the highest salaries. Publication record matters less than Sharpe ratios in the trading context. Expertise in time series modeling, reinforcement learning for portfolio optimization, and alternative data processing drives premiums.
Junior quant researchers start at $140,000 to $170,000 base with significant bonus potential. Mid-level researchers with deployed strategies reach $190,000 to $230,000 base. Senior researchers managing research teams earn $240,000 to $300,000+ base. Portfolio managers with AI expertise have uncapped earning potential. In Jersey City, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 20% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Performance bonuses at top quantitative firms regularly equal 100% to 300% of base salary. Total compensation of $400,000 to $1,000,000+ is achievable at firms like Two Sigma, DE Shaw, and Citadel. Deferred compensation and profit sharing structures are common. Signing bonuses of $50,000 to $150,000 attract top talent. And on the tax side: new Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75%. Jersey City has a payroll tax but no separate city income tax. The high state rate makes salary negotiation especially important. When someone quotes you $245,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against NYC salaries. Jersey City employers offer 90 to 95% of Manhattan pay, and the lower commuting costs can make it a net positive. The range for Quantitative AI Researchers in Jersey City runs from $184,000 to $318,000. 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 Security & Red Teaming Specialist in Jersey City earns $243,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Jersey City is Distinguished Engineer at $384,000
Common questions.
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