AI Research Scientist Salary in 2024

Salary details

The average AI Research Scientist salary lies between USD 65,000 and USD 133,333 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: Dec. 15, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for AI Research Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with AI Research Scientist job listings are Research, 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:

Research | 194 jobs Machine Learning | 177 jobs Engineering | 159 jobs Computer Science | 158 jobs PhD | 144 jobs Deep Learning | 129 jobs Python | 124 jobs NeurIPS | 124 jobs PyTorch | 107 jobs ICML | 103 jobs ICLR | 98 jobs Physics | 94 jobs NLP | 86 jobs Computer Vision | 84 jobs VR | 82 jobs Mathematics | 80 jobs Generative AI | 79 jobs LLMs | 77 jobs TensorFlow | 66 jobs Statistics | 63 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for AI Research Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with AI Research Scientist job listings are Career development, Conferences and Health care. 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 | 168 jobs Conferences | 144 jobs Health care | 108 jobs Equity / stock options | 90 jobs Salary bonus | 77 jobs Competitive pay | 43 jobs Parental leave | 33 jobs Startup environment | 28 jobs Wellness | 26 jobs Insurance | 26 jobs 401(k) matching | 23 jobs Flex vacation | 22 jobs Team events | 21 jobs Flex hours | 16 jobs Medical leave | 16 jobs Transparency | 8 jobs Gear | 6 jobs Home office stipend | 6 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 6 jobs Relocation support | 4 jobs

Salary Composition for AI Research Scientist Roles

The salary for an AI Research Scientist typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The composition can vary significantly based on region, industry, and company size. In North America, particularly in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, the base salary might be higher, with substantial bonuses and equity options. In contrast, European companies might offer a more balanced package with a slightly lower base but competitive bonuses. Startups often compensate with equity, while larger corporations might offer more stable base salaries with structured bonuses. Industries like finance or healthcare might offer higher bonuses due to the critical nature of AI applications in these fields.

Steps to Increase Salary from an AI Research Scientist Position

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

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI, such as reinforcement learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand.
• Pursue Leadership Roles: Transition into roles that involve leading teams or projects, as these often come with higher compensation.
• Enhance Your Skills: Continuously update your skills with the latest AI technologies and methodologies. This can make you more valuable to your current employer or attractive to new ones.
• Network and Collaborate: Engage with the AI community through conferences, workshops, and online forums. Networking can open up opportunities for higher-paying roles.
• Consider Geographic Mobility: Be open to relocating to regions or countries where AI roles are better compensated.

Educational Requirements for AI Research Scientist Positions

Most AI Research Scientist roles require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or engineering. However, a Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for research-intensive positions. The educational background should include a strong foundation in machine learning, statistics, and programming. Publications in reputable journals or conferences can also be a significant advantage.

Helpful Certifications for AI Research Scientists

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile:

• Certified Artificial Intelligence Practitioner (CAIP)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications demonstrate proficiency in specific tools and platforms, which can be beneficial in certain roles or industries.

Experience Required for AI Research Scientist Roles

Typically, employers look for candidates with several years of experience in AI or related fields. This experience can be gained through academic research, industry projects, or a combination of both. Experience in developing and deploying machine learning models, working with large datasets, and using AI frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch is often required. Additionally, experience in publishing research papers or contributing to open-source projects can be advantageous.

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