Quantum ML Researcher.
Philadelphia.
$225,000
median salary, 13% above the national average
$166,000 to $298,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Philadelphia is 9% more expensive than the national average. For Quantum ML Researchers, that shakes out to a median of $225,000, with the full range spanning $166,000 to $298,000. 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 $203,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$146,000
to $180,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$191,000
to $236,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$248,000
to $293,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$281,000
to $349,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $60,000 to the total package.
Base
$225,000
Equity
$34,000
Bonus
$21,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $285,000
How Philadelphia compares
Philadelphia, PA
$225,000
Cost of living: 9% above average
National Average
$200,000
Philadelphia is $25,000 above
Quantum ML Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Philadelphia
What you should know
The Quantum ML Researcher landscape in Philadelphia is not what most salary sites will tell you. Philadelphia combines a robust healthcare and life sciences sector with established finance and higher education institutions. The city's pharmaceutical corridor is among the strongest in the country. Tech growth has accelerated, particularly in health tech and enterprise software, offering salaries that stretch further than in nearby New York. 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 Philadelphia, 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. 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: pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax, but Philadelphia adds a 3.75% city wage tax for residents. This combined local burden is worth factoring into salary negotiations. When someone quotes you $225,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Account for the Philadelphia wage tax in your ask. Request a 5 to 8% premium over suburban offers to offset the city's local tax on all earned income. The range for Quantum ML Researchers in Philadelphia runs from $166,000 to $298,000. 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 Research Scientist in Philadelphia earns $227,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Philadelphia is Chief AI Officer at $341,000
Common questions.
Quantum ML Researcher salary in other cities
Other salaries in Philadelphia
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