AI Software Engineer Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average AI Software Engineer salary lies between USD 116,000 and USD 174,000 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

Top 20 Job Tags for AI Software Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with AI Software Engineer job listings are Python, Engineering and Computer Science. 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 | 127 jobs Engineering | 111 jobs Computer Science | 102 jobs Machine Learning | 94 jobs LLMs | 84 jobs Architecture | 81 jobs Research | 64 jobs Generative AI | 60 jobs AWS | 54 jobs Azure | 51 jobs PyTorch | 50 jobs APIs | 49 jobs Testing | 48 jobs Java | 46 jobs Agile | 45 jobs TensorFlow | 42 jobs Kubernetes | 40 jobs Security | 39 jobs GCP | 38 jobs Pipelines | 36 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for AI Software Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with AI Software Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care 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 | 108 jobs Health care | 50 jobs Startup environment | 42 jobs Flex hours | 39 jobs Competitive pay | 36 jobs Salary bonus | 30 jobs Equity / stock options | 29 jobs Medical leave | 29 jobs Flex vacation | 27 jobs Team events | 27 jobs Insurance | 27 jobs Parental leave | 15 jobs Wellness | 15 jobs Conferences | 12 jobs Fitness / gym | 7 jobs Transparency | 7 jobs Relocation support | 7 jobs 401(k) matching | 6 jobs Gear | 5 jobs Fertility benefits | 5 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for an AI Software Engineer typically includes a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s policy and individual performance, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can be a significant part of the total compensation, especially in high-growth industries or regions like Silicon Valley. In smaller companies or less tech-centric regions, the compensation might lean more heavily on the base salary with fewer bonuses or stock options.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from this position, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in cutting-edge AI/ML technologies and tools. Specializing in niche areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision can make you more valuable.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's or Ph.D. in a related field can open doors to higher-paying roles or leadership positions.
• Networking: Engage with professional networks and communities. Attending conferences, meetups, and workshops can lead to new opportunities.
• Leadership Roles: Aim for roles with more responsibility, such as team lead or project manager, which often come with higher pay.
• Industry Shift: Consider moving to industries that pay more for AI expertise, such as finance, healthcare, or autonomous vehicles.

Educational Requirements

Most AI Software Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles involving complex algorithm development or research. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of machine learning theories and practices, which are crucial for high-level problem-solving and innovation in AI.

Helpful Certifications

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

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

These certifications demonstrate proficiency in specific tools and platforms, which can be advantageous in job applications and salary negotiations.

Experience Requirements

Typically, employers look for candidates with 3-5 years of experience in software development, with a focus on AI/ML projects. Experience with programming languages such as Python, R, or Java, and familiarity with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn, is often required. Experience in data analysis, model deployment, and working with large datasets is also highly valued.

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