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Quantum Computing Jobs and Salary Benchmarks: Full List and How to Apply (2026)

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Mo Shehu, PhD

Explore quantum computing jobs, from research to software roles, with salary benchmarks and real advice on getting hired.

quantum computing jobs

Table of contents

TLDR: Skip to the quantum computing job titles here, job boards here, and salary benchmarks here.

When someone types “quantum computing jobs” into Google, they’re usually not just looking for a job board. They’re trying to answer three other questions:

Is quantum computing hiring? Can I fit into it? And if I can, what would my role and pay look like?

Realistically, quantum computing isn’t a mass hiring industry yet. It’s a specialist field. Jobs exist, they pay well, and the work is serious, but the market is small, slow, and selective. If you understand that early, you avoid a lot of frustration and wasted effort.

What is quantum computing?

Quantum computing is about using the rules of quantum physics to process information differently from normal computers. 

A normal computer works with bits that are either a 0 or a 1. A quantum computer works with qubits that can behave like 0 and 1 at the same time and can influence each other in strange but useful ways. 

That sounds abstract, but our understanding of quantum mechanics changes how we search through massive possibilities, simulate molecules, and solve problems that explode in complexity on classical machines.

Think about chemistry for a second. If you want to design a new drug or material, you need to simulate how molecules behave. Classical computers struggle because the math grows too fast. But quantum computers speak the same mathematical language as molecules. That’s why pharmaceutical and materials companies are paying attention. 

The same idea applies to finance, logistics, cryptography, and optimization problems where there are too many combinations for normal computers to check efficiently.

Quantum jobs exist because none of this happens automatically. Someone has to:

  • Build the machines that keep qubits stable
  • Design the electronics that control them
  • Write the software that talks to them
  • Test which algorithms work in the real world and which ones only look good on paper
  • Translate all of that into language that business teams, governments, and customers can understand

This is why quantum computing jobs spread across so many backgrounds:

  • Physics handles the behavior of qubits
  • Engineering handles control systems, electronics, and cooling
  • Computer science builds the software layers, compilers, and tools 
  • Mathematics shapes the algorithms
  • Product and business teams connect the technology to real problems people care about

The current state of the quantum computing job market

Right now, most quantum computing jobs sit in three places:

  1. Research labs
  2. Startups
  3. Large technology companies

Government and defense labs also play a big role, especially in the US, Europe, and parts of Asia.

Hiring is slow because the work is hard, mistakes are expensive, and progress is measured in years, not months. But demand has grown steadily since about 2019, especially for quantum software engineers and applied researchers.

You should think of quantum jobs as frontier roles. Fewer openings, deeper skill needs, higher pay, and long-term career paths.

Common quantum computing job titles and what they actually do

Quantum roles look intimidating, but when you strip away the jargon, they map to familiar patterns. 

Research and science roles

Quantum research scientist

This is the backbone of the field. You design experiments, publish papers, build algorithms, and explore what quantum machines can really do in practice, not just in theory. Your work often sits at the boundary between physics and computer science. One day you might be proving a mathematical result, the next you might be testing how an algorithm behaves on real hardware.

Most of your time is spent reading research, writing code, running experiments, and documenting results. Progress is slow and careful, and results matter more than speed.

Typical background here is a PhD in physics, mathematics, computer science, or a closely related field. In industry, this role often becomes more applied, with less publishing and more focus on usable outcomes.

Quantum physicist

This role stays closest to the physical machine. You care about how qubits behave, how stable they are, how long they keep information, and what makes them fail. You spend time working with lab equipment, control electronics, and measurement systems.

Your job is to make the hardware better, more reliable, and easier to scale. Without this role, nothing else works. Software and algorithms depend on the physical system behaving in predictable ways.

This is deeply experimental work. Most people here come from physics or applied physics backgrounds and are comfortable in laboratory environments.

Quantum algorithm researcher

This role lives in heavy theory. You design new algorithms that show how quantum computers could outperform classical ones. You study complexity, scaling, and whether an idea is actually useful or just mathematically interesting.

Feedback loops can be slow because real hardware is limited. Many results live in simulations or proofs. If you enjoy deep thinking and abstract problem solving, this role will feel natural. If you need fast feedback, it can be frustrating.

Engineering and software roles

These are the most accessible quantum jobs for people coming from classical tech.

Quantum software engineer

This is where most software developers enter the field. You write tools, libraries, simulators, and interfaces that make quantum machines usable. You’re building the bridge between abstract physics and normal programmers.

Typical work includes building SDKs, writing compilers, creating simulators, improving performance, and designing APIs that hide the messy physics underneath.

Python dominates here because most quantum research lives in Python. Quantum software frameworks like Qiskit, Cirq, and PennyLane appear in almost every posting. Strong software engineering habits still matter: testing, version control, documentation, and system design.

You’re rarely writing “pure quantum code” all day. Most of your work is classical software that happens to touch quantum systems.

Quantum systems engineer

This role sits between hardware and software. You care about performance, control, reliability, and system integration. When something fails, you help trace whether it was a hardware issue, a control issue, or a software issue.

This role suits people who like seeing the whole system, not just one layer. You need enough physics to understand the machine and enough software skill to understand the control stack.

Hardware and experimental roles

These jobs are scarce and highly specialized, but they’re critical.

Quantum hardware engineer

You help build and stabilize the machines themselves. This includes electronics, microwave control systems, materials, fabrication, and measurement devices. You work on making fragile quantum systems behave consistently.

Progress here is slow and expensive. A single hardware improvement can take months. But when it works, it unlocks everything else.

Cryogenics engineer

Many quantum machines operate close to absolute zero. This role designs and maintains the cooling systems that make that possible. You care about temperature stability, vibration, and long-term reliability.

This is a niche engineering field, but without it, modern quantum hardware would not exist.

Business and product roles

These roles turn research into something the world can use.

Quantum product manager

You translate research into products. You decide what gets built, who it is for, and why. You balance what is technically possible with what is commercially useful. You spend much of your time with engineers, researchers, customers, and leadership.

Quantum solutions architect

This role helps companies understand how quantum fits into their real problems. You take a client’s business challenge and map it to what quantum might realistically do, today or in the near future.

You’ll need strong communication skills and strategic, high-level thinking. You’re constantly separating hype from reality and helping people make grounded decisions, and need to be able to see the big picture.

Where to find the latest quantum computing jobs

Private sector quantum computing jobs

Most people start by checking normal job boards, and that’s fine, but you should know their limits. 

LinkedIn, Indeed, and company career pages show roles that are already formalized. But in quantum, many roles appear first inside research groups, labs, or small startups before they ever reach public boards. If you rely only on generic platforms, you usually see the jobs late.

Company career pages are a good place to look for quantum computing jobs. Here’s a list of career pages for top quantum computing companies:

Academic research jobs in quantum computing

Universities and national labs are another major hiring channel. Many quantum roles are posted through academic job portals, research institute boards, and government lab pages. These roles often look more research-focused, but they can lead directly into industry work later. If you are open to research-heavy paths, this is one of the most reliable entry points.

Here are some of the most useful university and research institute vacancy pages where quantum computing jobs regularly appear:

Startups hire differently. They often recruit through networks, conferences, and referrals. You see fewer polished job ads and more direct outreach. This is where being visible in the community matters. Publishing small projects, contributing to open-source tools, or presenting at events puts you in the path of people who are quietly building teams.

Finally, conferences aren’t just for learning. They are one of the main hiring surfaces in quantum. Hiring managers attend to scout talent, not only to present research. If you want a practical map of where this happens, our guide to quantum conferences shows which events concentrate hiring activity and partnerships.

Quantum computing job salary benchmarks

Quantum computing industry salaries are high because supply is tiny and training is long. Even junior quantum roles usually require years of preparation.

Below are ranges based on aggregated data from the last five years across Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, company postings, and academic salary reports.

United States quantum industry salaries (annual)

RoleEntryMedianSenior
Quantum software engineer$110k$145k$190k+
Quantum research scientist$120k$160k$210k+
Quantum hardware engineer$115k$150k$200k+
Quantum product manager$125k$165k$215k+

Europe quantum industry salaries (annual)

RoleEntryMedianSenior
Quantum software engineer€56k€80k€120k+
Quantum research scientist€62k€85k€130k+
Quantum hardware engineer€59k€82k€125k+

Asia quantum industry salaries (annual, converted to USD)

RoleEntryMedianSenior
Quantum software engineer$45k$70k$110k+
Quantum research scientist$50k$75k$115k+

Academic salaries in quantum

Academic roles pay slightly less but offer stability and research freedom.

RegionEntryMedianSenior
US$75k$95k$140k+
Europe€55k€75k€105k+
Asia$35k$55k$85k+

Why quantum computing salaries differ so much by region

Salaries follow money, risk, and maturity. The US pays the most because most private investment in quantum lives there. Venture capital, government contracts, and big tech funding all stack on top of each other. 

When companies compete for a very small pool of talent, pay rises fast. It’s not just about the cost of living, but about who can afford to move quickly and take big technical risks.

Europe has strong public research funding and excellent universities, but commercialization moves more slowly. Many roles are tied to research institutes or public–private labs, which stabilizes jobs but limits salary growth. You get depth, stability, and long-term projects, but less aggressive compensation than in Silicon Valley-style environments.

Asia is growing fast, especially in China, Japan, and South Korea, but the market is younger. Many roles are still research-driven rather than product-driven, and pay reflects that. It’s improving year by year, but it hasn’t reached US levels yet. The upside is that Asia is building infrastructure quickly, so there are real growth opportunities.

Another factor is how close the job is to hardware. Hardware-heavy roles are usually local. You need to be near the lab, the machines, and the equipment. That limits remote work and ties salaries to local markets. 

Software-heavy quantum computing roles are more remote-friendly. If you work on simulators, SDKs, or cloud tooling, companies are more open to global hiring, which sometimes pushes pay upward.

Remote roles can close part of the gap, but not all of it. Sensitive research, export controls, and hardware access still require physical presence. You might be perfectly qualified for a role and still not get it because you have a restricted nationality, are in the wrong location, or lack the necessary clearance. That’s why, at least for now, the highest salaries cluster around a few global hubs rather than spreading evenly across the world.

Your best bet is to either move to the quantum computing ‘centers of gravity,’ or master skills that aren’t tied to location.

Entry-level versus senior quantum computing jobs

Realistically, most “entry-level” quantum computing jobs already assume a master’s degree or PhD, or deep experience in software or engineering. Entry-level often means “new to quantum,” not new to technical work. You’re expected to arrive with strong foundations and then specialize on the job.

For example, an entry-level quantum software engineer might already have several years of Python and systems experience. An entry-level quantum research scientist might already have a doctorate and multiple publications. The learning curve is about adapting existing skill, not starting from zero.

This is why the field can feel closed from the outside. It’s not trying to be exclusive, but the cost of mistakes is high and the machines are fragile. Teams hire people who can operate with independence very quickly.

Senior roles look very different. At that level, you stop being only an individual contributor and start owning direction. You shape research agendas, design system architecture, define hardware strategy, or guide product focus. Your decisions affect years of work and millions, sometimes billions, of dollars of investment.

Senior researchers decide which problems are worth pursuing. Senior engineers decide how systems should be built and scaled. Senior hardware leads decide what tradeoffs are acceptable between stability, speed, and cost. These roles carry technical authority and long-term responsibility.

Which is why salaries jump fast at the top. You’re not just being paid for what you build, but for what you choose to build and what you prevent from being built badly. In quantum, good judgment is as valuable as technical skill.

How to prepare for quantum computing jobs

Preparation looks different depending on where you are starting, but the theme is the same. You build depth first, then you add quantum on top. There’s no shortcut that replaces technical strength.

If you’re a student, focus on math, physics, and programming. Linear algebra, probability, and basic quantum mechanics matter more than trendy courses. 

Programming matters because almost all quantum work today is expressed in code, even research work. Internships and portfolios matter more than certificates because they show you can operate in real environments, read messy code, and contribute to long projects. One good internship in a lab or quantum startup is worth more than ten online badges.

If you’re a software engineer, treat quantum as a layer on top of your existing skills, not a reset of your career. Your value comes from strong software habits first. Learn the quantum basics so you understand what’s special and what’s not. Use simulators to experiment without hardware access. Build small quantum computing projects that show you can connect classical code to quantum frameworks. Even simple demos matter if they show thinking and structure.

If you’re a physicist, deepen your programming. Most labs now expect strong coding, version control, and reproducible research. Being able to write clean, readable code often matters as much as understanding the physics. You’re not competing with software engineers by becoming one, but are becoming a stronger researcher by being technically fluent.

If you’re switching careers, think in terms of overlap. Don’t try to become everything at once. Pick the role that best matches what you already know and move sideways into quantum from there. The people who succeed are the ones who bring something valuable with them.

What companies look for in quantum computing talent

Companies care about how you think, not just what you know. They want to see that you can reason through hard problems, deal with uncertainty (which defines the whole field), and explain your decisions. Proof beats certificates, and projects beat buzzwords. A small, thoughtful project tells them more than a long list of courses.

They also care about how you handle slow progress. Quantum work doesn’t move fast. Experiments fail, hardware breaks, and algorithms disappoint. Teams need people who stay calm when nothing works for weeks and can still move forward.

Communication matters more than most people expect. You must explain complex ideas to people who don’t share your background. That includes engineers, managers, investors, journalists, and clients. If you can’t translate your work, it loses value.

Finally, they look for humility and patience. Quantum attracts big egos and big claims. Good teams prefer people who are curious, careful, and honest about limits. In a field where reality quickly collapses hype, grounded thinking is your edge.

The future of quantum computing jobs and how to stay connected

The quantum industry is moving forward, but it’s moving forward slowly. The first real expansion will happen in software tooling, simulation platforms, and applied research that helps companies test real use cases without touching fragile hardware. That’s because software can move faster than physics—and we’re already seeing this in our early research on the quantum ecosystem.

Hardware hiring will stay small and specialized. Building and stabilizing quantum machines is slow, expensive, and concentrated in a few labs. For now, those roles will remain elite, technical, and limited in number. Most new jobs will sit around the machines, not inside them.

If you want to stay close to where momentum is building, pay attention to how the community talks. Conferences, podcasts, and funding trends tell you more about the future than job boards do. We track this closely in our work. Our article on quantum computing podcasts shows where conversations are happening and which voices are shaping the field. Check out the full list here: columncontent.com/quantum-computing-podcasts 

We also publish a guide to the most important quantum conferences. Our 2026 edition maps where hiring, partnerships, and research visibility are concentrating. You can find it here: columncontent.com/quantum-computing-conferences 

Funding tells an even deeper story. In our recent report on microgrant funding in quantum computing, we show which subfields are receiving early money. That usually signals where future jobs will grow. You can read that report here: columncontent.com/report-quantum-computing-microgrant-funding 

These three signals together, conversation, gathering, and funding, give you a more accurate picture of the job market than any single salary table.

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