Machine Learning Researcher Salary in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average Machine Learning Researcher salary lies between USD 100,000 and USD 210,000 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. 1, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Machine Learning Researcher roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Machine Learning Researcher job listings are Machine Learning, Research and Python. 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:

Machine Learning | 20 jobs Research | 20 jobs Python | 16 jobs Computer Science | 16 jobs Deep Learning | 13 jobs Engineering | 13 jobs PyTorch | 12 jobs Computer Vision | 11 jobs NLP | 9 jobs TensorFlow | 9 jobs Security | 9 jobs Statistics | 8 jobs Mathematics | 8 jobs AWS | 7 jobs Architecture | 7 jobs R | 6 jobs Pipelines | 6 jobs R&D | 6 jobs Reinforcement Learning | 6 jobs GCP | 5 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Machine Learning Researcher roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Machine Learning Researcher job listings are Career development, Conferences and Competitive pay. 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 | 19 jobs Conferences | 8 jobs Competitive pay | 7 jobs Equity / stock options | 6 jobs Flex hours | 6 jobs Flex vacation | 6 jobs Health care | 6 jobs Insurance | 5 jobs Wellness | 4 jobs Startup environment | 4 jobs 401(k) matching | 2 jobs Parental leave | 2 jobs Transparency | 2 jobs Team events | 2 jobs Medical leave | 2 jobs Home office stipend | 2 jobs Travel | 1 jobs Gear | 1 jobs Relocation support | 1 jobs Salary bonus | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Machine Learning Researcher in the United States typically comprises a base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually forms the largest part of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance, individual performance, and industry standards. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, bonuses and stock options can be substantial, reflecting the high demand for talent in these regions. In contrast, companies in other regions or smaller firms might offer lower bonuses but compensate with other benefits. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and healthcare sectors might offer higher bonuses compared to academia or smaller startups.

Increasing Salary

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

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of machine learning that is in high demand, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or reinforcement learning.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, which often come with higher pay.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML and acquire new skills that are in demand.
• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher pay during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements

Most Machine Learning Researcher positions require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or statistics. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for research-intensive roles, as it demonstrates a deep understanding of complex algorithms and the ability to conduct independent research. Candidates with a strong academic background in machine learning, artificial intelligence, or related fields are highly sought after.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some valuable certifications include:

• TensorFlow Developer Certificate: Validates your ability to build and train machine learning models using TensorFlow.
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Demonstrates expertise in using AWS services to design, implement, and maintain machine learning solutions.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate: Shows proficiency in using Azure AI services to build and integrate AI solutions.

Required Experience

Typically, employers look for candidates with at least 2-5 years of experience in machine learning or data science roles. Experience in developing and deploying machine learning models, working with large datasets, and using programming languages like Python or R is crucial. Experience in a specific industry can also be beneficial, as it provides domain knowledge that can be applied to machine learning solutions.

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