Quantum ML Researcher.
Billings.
$180,000
median salary, 10% below the national average
$133,000 to $238,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Billings is 11% cheaper than the national average. For Quantum ML Researchers, that shakes out to a median of $180,000, with the full range spanning $133,000 to $238,000. Quantum ML sits at the intersection of quantum computing and machine learning, requiring rare expertise in both domains. 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 $162,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$117,000
to $144,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$153,000
to $189,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$198,000
to $234,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$225,000
to $279,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $48,000 to the total package.
Base
$180,000
Equity
$27,000
Bonus
$17,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $228,000
How Billings compares
Billings, MT
$180,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$200,000
Billings is $20,000 below
Quantum ML Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Billings
What you should know
Here is what the Quantum ML Researcher market actually looks like in Billings. Billings is Montana's largest city and economic hub, driven by energy, agriculture, and healthcare. The city serves as a regional center for the Northern Plains. Remote work has brought a wave of tech professionals seeking Montana's quality of life, gradually diversifying the local job market. Quantum ML sits at the intersection of quantum computing and machine learning, requiring rare expertise in both domains. Researchers with hands-on experience using quantum hardware from IBM, Google, or IonQ earn premiums of 15 to 25%. The field is still largely pre-commercial, so most high-paying roles are at major tech companies or well-funded startups.
Entry-level quantum ML researchers start at $148,000 to $180,000 with a PhD in quantum computing or physics. Researchers with 3 to 5 years earn $200,000 to $265,000. Senior researchers and quantum algorithm leads reach $280,000 to $380,000, while directors of quantum AI programs can command $400,000 to $500,000. In Billings, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 11% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Quantum computing companies offer equity that can represent 30 to 60% of total compensation, reflecting the high-risk, high-reward nature of the field. Signing bonuses of $40,000 to $80,000 are common, and some firms provide housing stipends in expensive research hub cities. And on the tax side: montana has a top income tax rate of 5.9% but no state sales tax. Billings has no city income tax. The no sales tax benefit helps offset the state income tax. When someone quotes you $180,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work arrangements. Billings employers are increasingly open to remote and hybrid setups to attract talent from larger metros. The range for Quantum ML Researchers in Billings runs from $133,000 to $238,000. 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 Billings earns $179,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Billings is Chief AI Officer at $287,000
Common questions.
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