Senior Data Scientist (AI-Specialized).
Burlington.
$196,000
median salary, 6% above the national average
$148,000 to $254,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Senior Data Scientist (AI-Specialized) pay in Burlington ranges from $148,000 to $254,000 in 2026. The median is $196,000, 6% above the national average. Burlington is Vermont's largest city and a small but growing hub for technology, healthcare, and sustainable industries. 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 $177,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$127,000
to $157,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$167,000
to $206,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$216,000
to $255,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$245,000
to $304,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $55,000 to the total package.
Base
$196,000
Equity
$31,000
Bonus
$20,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $251,000
How Burlington compares
Burlington, VT
$196,000
Cost of living: 6% above average
National Average
$185,000
Burlington is $11,000 above
Senior Data Scientist (AI-Specialized) salary by city
Salary by role in Burlington
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Senior Data Scientist (AI-Specialized) roles in Burlington, here is what you are walking into. Burlington is Vermont's largest city and a small but growing hub for technology, healthcare, and sustainable industries. The University of Vermont drives education and research employment. The city attracts remote workers and small tech companies seeking New England quality of life at lower costs than Boston. Compensation depends on ability to translate business problems into ML solutions and deploy models to production. Scientists who combine statistical rigor with engineering skills earn significantly more. Domain expertise in high-value sectors like fintech, biotech, or adtech adds 10 to 20% to offers.
Junior data scientists start at $95,000 to $120,000. Mid-level roles pay $130,000 to $160,000. Senior AI-specialized scientists earn $185,000 to $240,000, and principal or staff data scientists at top firms reach $280,000 to $350,000 in total compensation. In Burlington, 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. Annual bonuses typically range from 10 to 15% of base salary. Equity grants vary widely, with startups offering larger percentages and public companies providing RSUs worth $40,000 to $100,000 annually. And on the tax side: vermont's top income tax rate is 8.75%, one of the highest in the nation. Burlington has no city income tax, but the state burden requires careful salary planning. When someone quotes you $196,000, 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. Burlington's lifestyle appeal is a retention tool, but employers know they must offer competitive pay to offset Vermont's high tax rate. The range for Senior Data Scientist (AI-Specialized)s in Burlington runs from $148,000 to $254,000. 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 Infrastructure Engineer in Burlington earns $195,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Burlington is Chief AI Officer at $329,000
Common questions.
Senior Data Scientist (AI-Specialized) salary in other cities
Other salaries in Burlington
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.