Machine Learning Scientist Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Machine Learning Scientist salary lies between USD 130,100 and USD 204,600 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

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 Engineering. 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 | 436 jobs Python | 341 jobs Engineering | 308 jobs Computer Science | 294 jobs Research | 278 jobs Statistics | 267 jobs ML models | 255 jobs Deep Learning | 248 jobs PyTorch | 248 jobs PhD | 219 jobs TensorFlow | 207 jobs Mathematics | 186 jobs SQL | 181 jobs NLP | 154 jobs LLMs | 128 jobs Scikit-learn | 127 jobs Security | 120 jobs AWS | 117 jobs Architecture | 108 jobs Pipelines | 108 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 Wellness. 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 | 394 jobs Health care | 261 jobs Wellness | 147 jobs Equity / stock options | 133 jobs Flex hours | 133 jobs Competitive pay | 126 jobs Insurance | 121 jobs Conferences | 113 jobs Parental leave | 107 jobs Salary bonus | 106 jobs Flex vacation | 98 jobs Startup environment | 95 jobs Team events | 86 jobs Medical leave | 81 jobs 401(k) matching | 53 jobs Home office stipend | 32 jobs Relocation support | 26 jobs Gear | 25 jobs Travel | 22 jobs Fitness / gym | 22 jobs

Salary Composition for Machine Learning Scientists

The salary for a Machine Learning Scientist 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 and the competitive nature of the industry. In contrast, companies in regions with a lower cost of living or in industries like academia or non-profits may offer smaller bonuses and fewer stock options. Larger companies often provide more comprehensive compensation packages, including benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.

Steps to Increase Salary

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 160,000, consider pursuing advanced roles such as Senior Machine Learning Scientist or Machine Learning Engineer Manager. These positions often require a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and strategic thinking. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision can make you more valuable to employers. Networking within the industry, attending conferences, and publishing research can also enhance your reputation and open up higher-paying opportunities. Negotiating your salary based on market research and your contributions to the company can also be effective.

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 or positions at top-tier tech companies. The educational background should include a strong foundation in algorithms, data structures, probability, and statistics, as well as experience with machine learning frameworks and programming languages like Python or R.

Helpful Certifications

While not always required, certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some valuable certifications include:

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer: Validates your ability to design, build, and productionize ML models.
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Demonstrates expertise in using AWS services to create, train, and deploy ML models.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate: Focuses on using Azure services to build and integrate AI solutions.

These certifications can be particularly beneficial if you are looking to work with specific cloud platforms or tools.

Required Experience

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

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