Denver / Boulder, CO • 82% Geo-Band • 4.4% State/Regional Tax
AI Research Scientist & Foundation Model Engineer Salary in Denver
2026 local compensation bands, state tax drag ($26,248/yr at R5), and purchasing power benchmarks.
R5 Median Total Comp
$596,550
Cost of Living Index
76 / 100
Real Purchasing Power vs SF
114%
Median Home Price
$620,000
| Level | Title & Experience | 25th %ile Base | Median Base (P50) | 75th %ile Base | 90th %ile Base | Bonus / Equity | Median Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R3 | Research Engineer / Associate MTS 0 - 2 Years (Ph.D. / MS) |
$118,900 | $139,400 | $164,000 | $192,700 | 15% / $69,700 | $230,010 |
| R4 | Member of Technical Staff (MTS) / AI Scientist 2 - 5 Years |
$159,900 | $188,600 | $225,500 | $262,400 | 20% / $143,500 | $369,820 |
| R5 | Senior Research Scientist / Senior MTS 5 - 8 Years |
$213,200 | $254,200 | $311,600 | $369,000 | 25% / $278,800 | $596,550 |
| R6 | Staff / Principal Research Scientist 8 - 12+ Years |
$278,800 | $344,400 | $426,400 | $533,000 | 30% / $492,000 | $939,720 |
| R7 | Distinguished AI Scientist / VP of AI Research 12+ Years |
$369,000 | $451,000 | $574,000 | $738,000 | 35% / $902,000 | $1,510,850 |
Denver Compensation FAQs
How much does a AI Research Scientist & Foundation Model Engineer make in Denver in 2026?
Adjusted for Denver (82% market tier), median AI Research Scientist & Foundation Model Engineer total compensation spans from $230,010 at R3 to $1,510,850 at R7.
How do taxes and cost of living affect AI Research Scientist & Foundation Model Engineer pay in Denver?
Denver carries an estimated 4.4% state/regional income tax rate and a 76/100 cost-of-living index (median home $620,000), giving roughly 114% real purchasing power compared to San Francisco.