AI Research salary in San Francisco
Employer-stated pay · updated Oct 22, 2026
Live AI research jobs in San Francisco All AI research ranges BostonCambridgeMountain ViewNew YorkPalo AltoSan Jose
AI Research pay in San Francisco is measured from 89 postings where the employer stated pay. The best-evidenced figure is mid-level, where 50 postings put the middle half between $200,000 and $266,875, with a median of $240,000.
Pay rises with seniority here: the medians run mid-level $240,000 and senior $250,750. Moving from mid-level to senior is worth roughly 4% more.
Against the 6 other measured markets for AI research at mid-level, this sits below 1 of them; Sunnyvale leads at $274,500.
238 AI research roles are open in San Francisco right now, 186 listing pay.
| Level | Market range | Median | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid | $200,000 – $266,875 | $240,000 | 50 |
| Senior | $226,375 – $297,000 | $250,750 | 39 |
Entry is junior titles. Mid is mid-level and manager titles. Senior is senior titles. Lead is director, VP and above.
Ranges span the 25th to 75th percentile of employer-stated base pay for the level. Median is the 50th percentile. Sample is the number of postings measured.
Open AI research roles in San Francisco · 186 with stated pay
this job's paywhere most pay sits here, $180,000–$400,000scale $100,000–$560,000
60 of 238 open roles. All AI research jobs