Quantum Jobs USA
Quantum Jobs in United States Salary - A Guide
Quantum computing jobs are some of the most challenging but best paying roles in tech. Salaries in quantum jobs can be very different. They depend on your role. Whether you are a beginner developer, a leading researcher, or a hardware engineer. Location, experience, and company you work for, also matter in how much you earn. This guide explains how much you can earn in quantum jobs in the U.S. It covers:
- Average salaries for different roles
- What affects pay (experience, location, education, etc.)
- Real salary examples from the industry
- Future trends in quantum job pay
We have noticed that the salary bands for jobs in the quantum range from $100,000 on the low end and balloon well past $450,000 a year, depending on the role and company. - Arslan from Quantum Jobs USA
Why Are Quantum Salaries So High?
Quantum computing is a highly specialized field with very few experts. It is hard to learn, but that also means professionals in this area are in high demand. Hardware architects, algorithm developers, and cryogenic engineers all compete for the same short line of resumes. With demand outstripping supply, a junior developer is often drawn away from a safe cloud job by offers that beat the industry median by 30 percent overnight.
As a result, pay tends to outpace many traditional tech roles, even at the entry level.
The barrier to entry in quantum is high. That’s why when someone clears it, they are often rewarded very well. - Dr. Chris Ferrie, Quantum Educator & Physicist
Regional Salary Differences in the U.S.
Quantum salaries change a lot depending on where you work. Big tech hubs and cities with research labs usually pay more, while living costs are higher too. Here is how pay compares across different locations.
Bay Area (CA)
- Silicon Valley offers the highest average salaries because of intense competition, cost of living, and closeness to major companies like Google, Rigetti, and PsiQuantum. In addition to the high base salaries, It is common for software and hardware engineers in this region to receive equity and bonuses.
Boston/Cambridge (MA)
New York (NY)
- New York is a major player in quantum, especially in finance and quantum AI. IBM Quantum is based here and has strong private lab activity, So salaries are competitive, especially in business and advanced research.
Washington D.C./Maryland
- Professors and researchers in public sector and defense labs like NIST, Army Research Lab, and IonQ enjoy stable funding and well-compensated salaries. Work-life balance and benefits are often prioritized with these roles.
Austin (TX)
- Austin is becoming a rising star in quantum. Thanks to new research hubs (like UT Austin partnerships) and a growing startup scene this city is getting quantum famous. Lower living costs + rising salaries make it an attractive alternative to pricier tech hubs.
Remote
- Fully remote roles are very common now. Classiq and Xanadu along with Multiverse Computing offer positions in education, software, and algorithms which can be done from anywhere. Compensation varies but flexibility is a strong attractor.
JPMorgan's aggressive hiring of PhDs on $200K+ salaries has paid off, quantum teams are now driving significant innovations in finance.
What Affects Quantum Salaries?
The quantum compensation in the U.S. does not follow a one-size-fits-all policy. It is affected by a mix of educational background, sector selection, area of expertise, and even prior publications. These factors greatly influence the salary cap for specialists in this field:
- Industry: Big tech companies (Google, Amazon, IBM) usually pay more for quantum jobs than universities or government labs. This is because of massive R&D budgets, fast innovation, and bonuses tied to results.
- Specialty: Quantum hardware engineers and cryptography experts are in crazy high demand. Especially those with niche skills like cryogenics or quantum control systems. Because these skills are so rare, companies pay big salaries to hire them. These professionals are also in demand in the defense and fintech sectors due to the importance of quantum security.
- Educational Level: Professionals working in research, algorithm design, and hardware fabrication PhDs tend to be the highest paid employees. Individuals with master’s degrees earn competitive salaries but have lower starting earnings.
- Work experience: Candidates with only two to three years of experience in quantum software or hardware roles can advance quickly through salary levels, particularly if they have worked on high-impact projects or have startup experience.
- Publications: In quantum jobs, a strong academic track record grows your career. Publishing research, speaking at conferences, and filing patents makes you more hire able and also can significantly increase your salary.
- Startups vs. Big Tech: Startups often offer lower base pay but reimburse through equity, rapid advancement, and broader responsibilities. Big Tech, on the other hand, offers higher base salaries, structured bonuses, and job security.
Real Job Postings – Salary Insights
- Base: $140,000 - $165,000
- Equity: Stock options + bonus
- Base: $120,000 - $150,000
- Bonus: Up to $20,000 + travel allowance
- Base: $100,000 - $125,000
- Equity: Offered
- Base: $180,000 - $210,000
- Benefits: Full health, 401(k), relocation support
.svg)
Salary Trends & Future Outlook
Quantum computing is growing fast. It is moving from research labs to real business uses. This means salaries in this field, will probably go up for many jobs. Jobs in making quantum hardware may pay the most; because building the machines is difficult and slow. Other areas like quantum AI and cryptography will also grow. Companies will need them for secure cloud systems, defense and security, and business tech. You can learn more about Quantum Jobs Demand here.
Startups will compete for people with rare quantum skills. They may offer bigger salaries and more company shares to hire the best talent. Jobs that combine quantum computing with other skills, like machine learning or cybersecurity, will also be in demand. These positions could pay as much as AI engineers and data scientists.
By 2030, we expect quantum roles to match or exceed top-tier ML and AI compensation levels. - Scott Aaronson, Quantum Computing Theorist
Is Quantum Worth It Financially?
Quantum computing jobs are exciting. They let you solve hard problems, create new technology, and a earn good money. For tech workers in the U.S. who are willing to learn quantum science, this field offers great opportunities and high salaries.
If you want to solve the hardest problems in computing and get paid well for it, this is the field. - Dr. Prineha Narang, Quantum Materials Researcher, UCLA & Aliro Technologies
Quantum Job Salaries
Quantum Computing Educator
Teaches students and professionals about quantum computing principles, earning $60,000-115,000.
.webp){kind=small}
Quantum Computing Technical Writer
Creates clear documentation for quantum computing tools and concepts, earning $58,000-110,000.
Quantum Optics Researcher
Studies how light can be used to store and process quantum information, earning $68,000-130,000.
Quantum Materials Scientist
Develops new materials that enable better quantum computing, earning $70,000-135,000.
Quantum Network Architect
Designs systems that connect quantum computers securely, earning $85,000-145,000.
Quantum Physicist
Studies how particles behave at the quantum level for computing applications, earning $82,000-140,000.
.svg)
