AI Research Engineer Salary in 2023

Salary details

The average AI Research Engineer salary lies between USD 24,940 and USD 81,206 globally. 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.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 24, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for AI Research Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with AI Research Engineer job listings are Research, Engineering and Computer Science. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Research | 21 jobs Engineering | 21 jobs Computer Science | 17 jobs Machine Learning | 16 jobs PyTorch | 13 jobs Python | 12 jobs TensorFlow | 12 jobs Deep Learning | 11 jobs R | 8 jobs NLP | 8 jobs R&D | 8 jobs Generative AI | 8 jobs Computer Vision | 7 jobs Testing | 7 jobs Open Source | 6 jobs LLMs | 6 jobs Industrial | 5 jobs Architecture | 5 jobs Spark | 4 jobs spaCy | 4 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for AI Research Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with AI Research Engineer job listings are Career development, Equity / stock options and Salary bonus. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 18 jobs Equity / stock options | 9 jobs Salary bonus | 8 jobs Flex hours | 6 jobs Health care | 5 jobs Team events | 5 jobs Medical leave | 4 jobs Travel | 3 jobs Competitive pay | 3 jobs Conferences | 3 jobs Yoga | 3 jobs Parental leave | 2 jobs Flex vacation | 2 jobs Startup environment | 2 jobs 401(k) matching | 1 jobs Lunch / meals | 1 jobs Wellness | 1 jobs Gear | 1 jobs Transparency | 1 jobs Insurance | 1 jobs

Salary Composition for AI Research Engineers

The salary composition for an AI Research Engineer can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary is divided into a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. In regions with a high cost of living, like the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City, the base salary tends to be higher to compensate for living expenses. In contrast, regions with a lower cost of living might offer a smaller base salary but could compensate with more substantial bonuses or stock options.

In the tech industry, especially within large companies or startups, stock options and bonuses can form a significant part of the total compensation package. Smaller companies or those in non-tech industries might offer fewer stock options but could provide other benefits like flexible working hours or additional vacation days. Understanding the specific compensation structure of a potential employer is crucial for evaluating job offers.

Steps to Increase Salary

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

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in the latest AI/ML technologies and tools. Specializing in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision can make you more valuable.

• Advanced Education: Pursuing further education, such as a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field, can open up higher-paying opportunities and leadership roles.

• Networking: Building a strong professional network can lead to new job opportunities and collaborations that might offer better compensation.

• Performance and Negotiation: Consistently delivering high-quality work and effectively negotiating during performance reviews can lead to salary increases.

• Switching Companies: Sometimes, moving to a different company can result in a significant salary bump, especially if the new company values your specific skill set more highly.

Educational Requirements

Most AI Research Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, or engineering. However, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or a Ph.D., especially for research-intensive roles. Advanced degrees often provide a deeper understanding of complex algorithms and the theoretical foundations of AI, which are crucial for research positions.

Helpful Certifications

While not always required, certain certifications can enhance your resume and demonstrate your expertise in AI/ML. Some popular certifications include:

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

These certifications can validate your skills and knowledge in specific platforms and tools, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

The typical experience required for an AI Research Engineer role varies but generally includes:

• Entry-Level: 0-2 years of experience, often requiring internships or project work during education.
• Mid-Level: 3-5 years of experience, with a proven track record of working on AI/ML projects.
• Senior-Level: 5+ years of experience, often involving leadership roles in AI/ML projects and a strong portfolio of research or applied work.

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