Synthetic Data Engineer.
Minneapolis.
$173,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$131,000 to $226,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Minneapolis is 5% more expensive than the national average. For Synthetic Data Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $173,000, with the full range spanning $131,000 to $226,000. Synthetic data engineering is a rapidly emerging specialty where salaries are driven by expertise in generative models for data augmentation. 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 $156,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$112,000
to $138,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$147,000
to $182,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$190,000
to $225,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$216,000
to $268,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $38,000 to the total package.
Base
$173,000
Equity
$21,000
Bonus
$14,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $211,000
How Minneapolis compares
Minneapolis, MN
$173,000
Cost of living: 5% above average
National Average
$165,000
Minneapolis is $8,000 above
Synthetic Data Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Minneapolis
What you should know
The Synthetic Data Engineer landscape in Minneapolis is not what most salary sites will tell you. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. The city's strong corporate base creates consistent demand across finance, healthcare, retail tech, and supply chain roles. Quality of life is high, and employers offer competitive salaries to offset the cold winters. Synthetic data engineering is a rapidly emerging specialty where salaries are driven by expertise in generative models for data augmentation. Experience with privacy-preserving data generation for regulated industries like healthcare and finance commands 15 to 25% premiums. Knowledge of differential privacy and statistical validation of synthetic datasets is highly valued.
Junior synthetic data engineers earn $125,000 to $148,000. Engineers with 2 to 4 years of specialized experience reach $165,000 to $215,000. Senior engineers and technical leads earn $220,000 to $290,000, while directors of synthetic data programs at large enterprises can command $300,000 to $380,000. In Minneapolis, 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. Startups in the synthetic data space offer equity packages of 0.1 to 0.5% that can be worth significantly more than base salary if the company succeeds. Established tech firms offer RSUs worth 20 to 35% of base salary plus bonuses of 10 to 20%. And on the tax side: minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85%, one of the highest state rates. There is no city income tax in Minneapolis, but the state burden significantly reduces take home pay. When someone quotes you $173,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize retention risk when negotiating. Minneapolis employers know that remote opportunities from warmer, lower tax states are a constant competitive threat. The range for Synthetic Data Engineers in Minneapolis runs from $131,000 to $226,000. 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 Embedded AI Engineer in Minneapolis earns $172,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Minneapolis is Chief AI Officer at $329,000
Common questions.
Synthetic Data Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Minneapolis
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