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Create CVIf you’re searching for data researcher salary US, you’re likely asking a deeper question: What can I realistically earn, and how do I maximize my compensation?
The short answer:
A data researcher in the United States earns between $65,000 and $165,000+ per year, with total compensation (TC) reaching $200,000+ in top-tier companies.
But that range is wide for a reason.
Compensation varies heavily based on:
Experience level
Industry (tech vs academia vs corporate)
Technical depth (SQL, Python, ML)
Company size and funding
Geographic location or remote structure
This guide breaks down not just the numbers, but how salaries are actually determined, negotiated, and scaled in the US job market.
Entry-Level Data Researcher: $65,000 – $85,000
Mid-Level Data Researcher: $85,000 – $120,000
Senior Data Researcher: $120,000 – $165,000
Lead / Principal: $150,000 – $200,000+
Average Salary (US): $95,000 – $110,000
Base Salary: 75% – 90% of total comp
Annual Bonus: 5% – 20%
Salary Range: $65,000 – $85,000
Typical Roles: Junior Data Researcher, Research Analyst
What determines pay here:
Internship pedigree (FAANG, consulting, research labs)
Degree level (Master’s adds ~$5K–$10K premium)
Tools: SQL, Excel, basic Python
Recruiter insight:
Entry-level offers are band-constrained. Negotiation room is limited unless:
You have competing offers
Not all data researchers are equal. Specialization dramatically impacts salary.
Salary: $70,000 – $110,000
Lower ceiling due to less technical depth
Salary: $90,000 – $140,000
High demand in SaaS companies
Salary: $120,000 – $180,000+
Top-tier candidates exceed $200K TC
Equity (tech companies): $10K – $100K+ over 4 years
Signing Bonus: $5K – $25K (common in competitive hiring markets)
In top companies (especially SaaS or AI-focused orgs), TC often exceeds base salary by 20% to 50%.
You bring niche domain expertise (e.g., healthcare data)
Salary Range: $85,000 – $120,000
TC Range: $100,000 – $140,000
At this stage, compensation becomes performance-driven.
Key drivers:
Ownership of research projects
Stakeholder impact (product, strategy teams)
Advanced tools (Python, R, Tableau, BI tools)
Hiring manager perspective:
This is where salary variance explodes. Two candidates with the same years of experience can differ by $30K+ depending on:
Business impact
Communication skills
Industry experience
Salary Range: $120,000 – $165,000
TC Range: $140,000 – $200,000+
Senior roles focus on:
Strategic research influence
Leading initiatives
Cross-functional decision-making
Compensation drivers:
Influence on revenue or product decisions
Managing junior researchers
Specialized domain expertise
Recruiter psychology:
Senior hires are often “anchor hires”. Companies stretch budgets for candidates who:
Bring industry insights competitors lack
Have a track record of measurable outcomes
Salary Range: $150,000 – $200,000+
TC Range: $180,000 – $250,000+
At this level:
Equity becomes a major component
Compensation is heavily negotiated
Top 10% earners:
Salary: $80,000 – $130,000
Premium for regulatory expertise
Salary: $60,000 – $95,000
Lower pay but higher stability
Key insight:
Technical + business impact = highest compensation. Pure research without business application pays less.
Base: $120,000 – $160,000
TC: $150,000 – $220,000+
Base: $90,000 – $140,000
Equity upside: significant
Salary: $85,000 – $130,000
Bonus-heavy structures
Salary: $110,000 – $180,000
Bonus: 20% – 100% of base
Salary: $60,000 – $100,000
Minimal bonuses, strong benefits
Recruiter insight:
Industries with direct revenue impact (finance, tech) pay the highest.
San Francisco Bay Area: +20% – 30% premium
New York City: +15% – 25%
Seattle: +10% – 20%
Remote Work Impact:
Remote salaries are increasingly geo-adjusted
Top candidates can still command coastal-level salaries remotely
Understanding TC is critical.
Fixed income
Typically 75% – 90% of total comp
Performance-based
5% – 20% typical
RSUs or stock options
Vesting over 4 years
Used to close candidates quickly
Common in competitive hiring markets
Example (Mid-Level Data Researcher):
Base: $105,000
Bonus: $10,000
Equity: $25,000 (over 4 years)
Total Comp: ~$115,000 – $125,000 annually
The biggest driver.
Candidates who can:
Influence decisions
Drive revenue insights
Support product growth
…get paid more.
Higher-paying skills:
Python / R
SQL
Data modeling
Machine learning basics
Lower-paying profiles rely heavily on:
Excel
Basic analytics
High-demand sectors:
AI
Fintech
Healthcare analytics
More scarcity = higher pay.
Every company has:
Salary bands
Internal leveling systems
You are paid based on:
Level (not just skill)
Internal equity vs other employees
Shift from:
Learn:
SQL
Python
Data visualization tools
Biggest salary jumps come from:
Focus on:
Tech
Finance
AI
Recruiters:
Have a salary range
Aim to close you at the lower-mid range
Hiring managers:
Push for strong candidates
Can approve higher offers if justified
Finance:
Weak Example:
“I’m okay with whatever is fair.”
Good Example:
“Based on market data and my experience, I’m targeting $115K–$125K base.”
Always ask for the salary range first
Use competing offers strategically
Negotiate total compensation, not just base
Entry → Mid: +30% increase
Mid → Senior: +40% increase
Senior → Lead: +30%+
Top performers:
Especially in:
AI-driven companies
High-growth startups
A data researcher salary in the US is not fixed.
Your earnings depend on:
Your ability to drive business outcomes
Your technical depth
Your negotiation strategy
Most professionals land between:
Top performers push into:
If you understand how compensation is structured and position yourself strategically, you can dramatically outperform the average salary range.
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