AI Specialist Salary in 2024

Salary details

The average AI Specialist salary lies between USD 80,000 and USD 172,100 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 Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with AI Specialist job listings are Machine Learning, Generative AI 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:

Machine Learning | 132 jobs Generative AI | 112 jobs Python | 108 jobs Engineering | 105 jobs LLMs | 96 jobs Computer Science | 92 jobs NLP | 78 jobs Azure | 74 jobs AWS | 73 jobs Research | 73 jobs Deep Learning | 67 jobs Consulting | 60 jobs TensorFlow | 53 jobs PyTorch | 53 jobs Architecture | 53 jobs GCP | 48 jobs Security | 45 jobs Computer Vision | 44 jobs SQL | 44 jobs APIs | 42 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for AI Specialist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with AI Specialist job listings are Career development, Team events 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 | 159 jobs Team events | 70 jobs Health care | 67 jobs Flex hours | 64 jobs Competitive pay | 57 jobs Equity / stock options | 55 jobs Startup environment | 33 jobs Conferences | 31 jobs Medical leave | 23 jobs Insurance | 20 jobs Flex vacation | 19 jobs 401(k) matching | 18 jobs Parental leave | 15 jobs Wellness | 14 jobs Fitness / gym | 14 jobs Salary bonus | 13 jobs Transparency | 9 jobs Home office stipend | 8 jobs Flexible spending account | 6 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 4 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an AI Specialist can vary significantly based on region, industry, and company size. Typically, the compensation package is composed of a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. In regions like North America and Western Europe, the base salary tends to be higher, while in regions like Asia or Eastern Europe, the bonus and equity components might play a more significant role. In larger tech companies or startups, equity can be a substantial part of the compensation, whereas in more traditional industries, the focus might be more on the fixed salary and annual bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from the AI Specialist position, consider the following steps:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills with the latest 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 further education, such as a Ph.D. or specialized certifications, can position you for higher-paying roles.
• Leadership Roles: Transitioning into managerial or leadership roles within AI teams can significantly boost your salary.
• Industry Change: Moving to industries with higher pay scales for AI roles, such as finance or healthcare, can also be beneficial.
• Networking: Building a strong professional network can lead to opportunities in higher-paying companies or roles.

Educational Requirements

Most AI Specialist roles 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 or development tasks. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of machine learning algorithms, data analysis, and statistical methods, which are crucial for high-level AI work.

Helpful Certifications

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
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer

These certifications demonstrate your expertise in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, AI Specialist roles require several years of experience in data science or machine learning. Experience in developing and deploying machine learning models, working with large datasets, and proficiency in programming languages like Python or R is often expected. Experience in a specific industry can also be beneficial, as it provides domain knowledge that can be crucial for certain AI applications.

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