Synthetic Data Engineer.
New York.
$211,000
median salary, 28% above the national average
$160,000 to $275,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
A Synthetic Data Engineer in New York earns a median of $211,000 in 2026. That is 28% above the national average. The range runs from $160,000 to $275,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Synthetic data engineering is a rapidly emerging specialty where salaries are driven by expertise in generative models for data augmentation.
Salary range
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How New York compares
New York, NY
$211,000
Cost of living: 28% above average
National Average
$165,000
New York is $46,000 above
What you should know
Here is what the Synthetic Data Engineer market actually looks like in New York. New York City remains one of the world's largest and most diverse job markets, with unmatched density in finance, media, and technology. The city's tech sector has grown rapidly, rivaling the Bay Area for venture funding and startup activity. Remote work has reshaped demand slightly, but employers still pay premiums for in office presence in Manhattan. 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 New York, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 28% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
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: new York State income tax rates reach 10.9%, and New York City adds a local income tax up to 3.876%. Combined with federal taxes, your effective rate can be among the highest nationally. When someone quotes you $211,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize your willingness to work from the office in Manhattan. Many NYC employers pay 10 to 15% more for in person roles compared to remote positions. The range for Synthetic Data Engineers in New York runs from $160,000 to $275,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in New York
Negotiating in New York
Emphasize your willingness to work from the office in Manhattan. Many NYC employers pay 10 to 15% more for in person roles compared to remote positions.