AI Engineer Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average AI Engineer salary lies between USD 120,750 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: Dec. 15, 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 | 1259 jobs Machine Learning | 1225 jobs Engineering | 1185 jobs Computer Science | 847 jobs LLMs | 764 jobs Generative AI | 655 jobs Research | 631 jobs NLP | 601 jobs AWS | 598 jobs PyTorch | 576 jobs Azure | 569 jobs Architecture | 542 jobs TensorFlow | 530 jobs Deep Learning | 491 jobs Pipelines | 469 jobs ML models | 408 jobs GCP | 380 jobs Agile | 370 jobs Security | 367 jobs APIs | 359 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 | 1119 jobs Health care | 507 jobs Flex hours | 431 jobs Startup environment | 339 jobs Competitive pay | 312 jobs Equity / stock options | 291 jobs Team events | 209 jobs Flex vacation | 200 jobs Insurance | 176 jobs Parental leave | 173 jobs Salary bonus | 164 jobs Medical leave | 156 jobs Wellness | 147 jobs 401(k) matching | 135 jobs Conferences | 81 jobs Transparency | 63 jobs Fitness / gym | 62 jobs Home office stipend | 51 jobs Relocation support | 50 jobs Gear | 45 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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