Quantitative AI Researcher.
Madison.
$194,000
median salary, 3% below the national average
$145,000 to $252,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Quantitative AI Researcher pay in Madison ranges from $145,000 to $252,000 in 2026. The median is $194,000, 3% below the national average. Madison is a growing tech hub anchored by the University of Wisconsin and Epic Systems, one of the largest health IT companies. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
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
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $48,000 to the total package.
Base
$194,000
Equity
$27,000
Bonus
$17,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $242,000
How Madison compares
Madison, WI
$194,000
Cost of living: 5% below average
National Average
$200,000
Madison is $6,000 below
Quantitative AI Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Madison
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Quantitative AI Researcher offer in Madison, understand the terrain. Madison is a growing tech hub anchored by the University of Wisconsin and Epic Systems, one of the largest health IT companies. The city consistently ranks among the best places to live and has a thriving startup ecosystem. Salaries are competitive relative to the modest cost of living. 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 Madison, 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. 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: wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65%. Madison has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by the affordable cost of living and strong employer base. 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 Epic Systems compensation benchmarks. Epic sets the salary standard for tech in Madison and most employers in the area compete against their packages. The range for Quantitative AI Researchers in Madison runs from $145,000 to $252,000. 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 Solutions Architect in Madison earns $193,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Madison is Distinguished Engineer at $307,000
Common questions.
Quantitative AI Researcher salary in other cities
Other salaries in Madison
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.