Synthetic Biology AI Researcher Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$141,000
national median salary
$97,000 to $187,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $140,300 for Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221) across the United States, based on 37,200 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$82,200
25th percentile
$103,570
Median
$140,300
75th percentile
$188,700
90th percentile
$230,630
Workers surveyed
37,200
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$140,910
May 2025 release
$140,300
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221) rather than Synthetic Biology AI Researcherspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 15-1221Highest Paying
$187,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$147,000
Princeton, NJ
Lowest Paying
$111,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 15-1221. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Synthetic Biology AI Researcher salary in the United States at $141,000 in 2026, within a range of $97,000 to $187,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $187,000, while Princeton offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Compensation reflects specialization depth, production deployment scale, and the maturity of the AI systems being built.
Synthetic Biology AI Researcher salary by city.
Skills that increase Synthetic Biology AI Researcher pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Synthetic Biology AI Researchers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $19,740 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$19,740 per year
≈ +$18,330 per year
≈ +$16,920 per year
≈ +$15,510 per year
≈ +$14,100 per year
≈ +$14,100 per year
≈ +$14,100 per year
≈ +$12,690 per year
What you should know.
Compensation reflects specialization depth, production deployment scale, and the maturity of the AI systems being built. Synthetic Biology AI Researchers who have shipped models serving millions of users command the highest premiums. Employer type matters significantly: AI labs and foundation model companies pay 20% to 40% more than enterprises adopting AI for internal use.
Entry-level Synthetic Biology AI Researchers start near $172,000. Mid-career professionals with three to five years of experience reach $220,000 to $286,000. Senior-level roles command $282,000 to $341,000. Management transitions to director-level positions offer $363,000 and above.
Equity at top-tier companies adds 30% to 60% above base salary. Annual bonuses of 15% to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $75,000 are common when changing roles. Refresher equity grants vest annually. Relocation packages and executive benefits like financial planning are typical.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Synthetic Biology AI Researchers typically earn $131,000 (7% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Synthetic Biology AI Researcher pay.
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