AI Researcher Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average AI Researcher salary lies between USD 149,000 and USD 220,000 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. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for AI Researcher roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with AI Researcher job listings are Research, Machine Learning and Python. 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 | 122 jobs Machine Learning | 116 jobs Python | 106 jobs Computer Science | 85 jobs PyTorch | 78 jobs Engineering | 78 jobs NLP | 71 jobs Deep Learning | 70 jobs LLMs | 65 jobs TensorFlow | 58 jobs PhD | 54 jobs Computer Vision | 52 jobs Generative AI | 50 jobs Generative modeling | 41 jobs ICML | 33 jobs Mathematics | 32 jobs Open Source | 30 jobs ML models | 30 jobs Statistics | 30 jobs NeurIPS | 30 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for AI Researcher roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with AI Researcher job listings are Career development, Conferences and Startup environment. 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 | 107 jobs Conferences | 69 jobs Startup environment | 40 jobs Equity / stock options | 26 jobs Flex hours | 25 jobs Health care | 23 jobs Parental leave | 20 jobs Medical leave | 20 jobs Competitive pay | 18 jobs Wellness | 16 jobs Team events | 15 jobs Salary bonus | 15 jobs Insurance | 13 jobs Flex vacation | 10 jobs Transparency | 4 jobs Home office stipend | 3 jobs Cell phone stipend | 3 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Signing bonus | 2 jobs Relocation support | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for an AI Researcher can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary is divided into three main components: base salary, bonus, and additional remuneration. The base salary is the fixed annual amount and usually constitutes the largest portion of the total compensation package. Bonuses can be performance-based or tied to company profits and may range from 10% to 30% of the base salary. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies or startups, and other benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, the total compensation package might be higher due to the competitive market and cost of living.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from the position of an AI Researcher, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML that is in high demand, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as leading a research team or project, which often come with higher pay.
• Publications and Patents: Contribute to high-impact research papers or secure patents, which can enhance your reputation and bargaining power.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network and engage with industry leaders, which can open up opportunities for higher-paying positions.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML and acquire new skills or certifications that are valued in the industry.

Educational Requirements

Most AI Researcher positions 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 roles focused on cutting-edge research and development. A strong academic background with a focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analysis is essential. Publications in reputable journals and conferences can also be a significant advantage.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your expertise in AI/ML. Some valuable certifications include:

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

These certifications can validate your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Required Experience

The typical experience required for an AI Researcher role includes several years of hands-on experience in machine learning, data analysis, and algorithm development. Experience in programming languages such as Python, R, or Java, and familiarity with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn is crucial. Additionally, experience in conducting research, publishing papers, and collaborating on interdisciplinary projects is highly valued.

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