Quantitative AI Researcher.
Portland.
$214,000
median salary, 7% above the national average
$161,000 to $278,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Quantitative AI Researcher salary in Portland is $214,000, 7% above the national average. Entry level starts near $161,000. Experienced professionals push past $278,000. Portland, Maine is a small but growing tech and creative economy hub. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $193,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$139,000
to $171,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$182,000
to $225,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$235,000
to $278,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$268,000
to $332,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $53,000 to the total package.
Base
$214,000
Equity
$30,000
Bonus
$19,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $267,000
How Portland compares
Portland, ME
$214,000
Cost of living: 5% above average
National Average
$200,000
Portland is $14,000 above
Quantitative AI Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Portland
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Quantitative AI Researcher offer in Portland, understand the terrain. Portland, Maine is a small but growing tech and creative economy hub. The city attracts remote workers and small companies seeking quality of life on the New England coast. Healthcare, marine industries, and a craft food and beverage sector round out the local economy. 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 Portland, 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: maine's top income tax rate is 7.15%. Portland has no city income tax. The state rate is above average but offset by quality of life and access to rural New England. When someone quotes you $214,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work flexibility. Portland employers know they compete with Boston and New York for talent and may offer location flexibility to attract top candidates. The range for Quantitative AI Researchers in Portland runs from $161,000 to $278,000. 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 Portland earns $213,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Portland is Distinguished Engineer at $336,000
Common questions.
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