AI Engineer Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average AI Engineer salary lies between USD 120,525 and USD 212,000 in the United States. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 17, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for AI Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with AI Engineer job listings are Python, Machine Learning and Engineering. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 1086 jobs Machine Learning | 1065 jobs Engineering | 1037 jobs Computer Science | 737 jobs LLMs | 648 jobs Generative AI | 569 jobs Research | 546 jobs AWS | 524 jobs NLP | 520 jobs PyTorch | 490 jobs Azure | 487 jobs Architecture | 474 jobs TensorFlow | 467 jobs Deep Learning | 436 jobs Pipelines | 413 jobs ML models | 345 jobs Agile | 333 jobs GCP | 330 jobs Security | 329 jobs APIs | 315 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for AI Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with AI Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 976 jobs Health care | 450 jobs Flex hours | 390 jobs Startup environment | 291 jobs Competitive pay | 271 jobs Equity / stock options | 269 jobs Team events | 187 jobs Flex vacation | 179 jobs Parental leave | 163 jobs Insurance | 159 jobs Salary bonus | 149 jobs Medical leave | 146 jobs Wellness | 132 jobs 401(k) matching | 126 jobs Conferences | 72 jobs Fitness / gym | 57 jobs Transparency | 57 jobs Home office stipend | 48 jobs Relocation support | 46 jobs Gear | 40 jobs

Salary Composition for AI Engineer Roles

The salary for an AI Engineer in the United States typically comprises a base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually forms the largest part of the total compensation package. Bonuses can be performance-based or company-wide, and they vary significantly depending on the company's profitability and individual performance. Additional remuneration, like stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups, where equity is offered as an incentive for long-term commitment. The composition can vary by region, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley offering higher base salaries and more substantial equity packages compared to other regions. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and healthcare sectors might offer higher bonuses, while tech companies might provide more in stock options. Company size can influence the package, with larger companies often providing more comprehensive benefits and smaller startups offering more equity.

Steps to Increase Salary from an AI Engineer Position

To increase your salary from an AI Engineer position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning, which can command higher salaries.
• Pursue Advanced Education: Obtaining a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field can open doors to higher-paying roles and leadership positions.
• Gain Leadership Experience: Transitioning into a managerial or lead role can significantly increase your earning potential.
• Negotiate Effectively: Develop strong negotiation skills to leverage your experience and expertise during salary discussions.
• Network and Build a Personal Brand: Engage with industry professionals and showcase your work through conferences, publications, or online platforms to increase your visibility and attract better opportunities.

Educational Requirements for AI Engineer Roles

Most AI Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles involving complex research and development tasks. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of machine learning algorithms, data structures, and statistical methods, which are crucial for developing sophisticated AI models.

Helpful Certifications for AI Engineers

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some valuable certifications include:

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate

These certifications validate your skills in specific platforms and tools, making you a more attractive candidate for employers using these technologies.

Experience Requirements for AI Engineer Roles

Typically, AI Engineer roles require at least 2-5 years of experience in related fields such as software development, data analysis, or machine learning. Experience with programming languages like Python, R, or Java, and familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn, are often essential. Practical experience in deploying machine learning models and working with large datasets is also highly valued.

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