Machine Learning Scientist Salary in 2023

Salary details

The average Machine Learning Scientist salary lies between USD 145,000 and USD 220,000 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: Nov. 10, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Machine Learning Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Machine Learning Scientist job listings are Machine Learning, Python and Computer Science. 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 | 141 jobs Python | 128 jobs Computer Science | 115 jobs Engineering | 100 jobs Research | 94 jobs Statistics | 88 jobs PyTorch | 86 jobs Deep Learning | 84 jobs ML models | 82 jobs TensorFlow | 79 jobs Mathematics | 70 jobs PhD | 69 jobs SQL | 58 jobs Scikit-learn | 55 jobs NLP | 49 jobs R | 47 jobs Testing | 44 jobs Architecture | 42 jobs Spark | 40 jobs AWS | 39 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Machine Learning Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Machine Learning Scientist 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 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 124 jobs Health care | 62 jobs Startup environment | 57 jobs Equity / stock options | 48 jobs Flex hours | 48 jobs Parental leave | 44 jobs Salary bonus | 42 jobs Flex vacation | 40 jobs Conferences | 39 jobs Competitive pay | 36 jobs Wellness | 35 jobs Team events | 33 jobs Insurance | 29 jobs Medical leave | 24 jobs 401(k) matching | 19 jobs Gear | 18 jobs Home office stipend | 15 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 12 jobs Yoga | 7 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 4 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Machine Learning Scientist typically comprises 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 forms the bulk of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's success 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 significantly increase the total compensation, especially if the company performs well.

Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competition for talent. Industry-wise, tech companies, finance, and healthcare often offer higher salaries compared to academia or government roles. Company size can also influence salary composition, with larger companies typically offering more comprehensive compensation packages, including benefits and bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from the position of a Machine Learning Scientist, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of machine learning, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into roles with more responsibility, such as leading a team of data scientists or managing projects, which often come with higher pay.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML through courses, workshops, and conferences. This not only enhances your skills but also makes you more valuable to employers.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
• Negotiation: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher pay during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements

Most Machine Learning Scientist positions require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, statistics, or mathematics. 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. Additionally, a strong foundation in programming languages like Python or R, as well as experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, is essential.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your commitment to the field. 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 validate your skills in deploying machine learning models and working with cloud-based AI services, which are increasingly important in the industry.

Required Experience

Typically, employers look for candidates with at least 2-5 years of experience in data science or machine learning roles. This experience should include hands-on work with data analysis, model building, and deployment. Experience in a specific industry, such as finance, healthcare, or e-commerce, can also be advantageous, as it demonstrates the ability to apply machine learning solutions to real-world problems.

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