Research Engineer Salary in 2023

💰 The median Research Engineer Salary in 2023 is USD 168,000

✏️ This salary info is based on 164 individual salaries reported during 2023

Salary details

The average Research Engineer salary lies between USD 130,000 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.

Job title: Research Engineer

Experience: all levels

Region: global/worldwide

Salary year: 2023

Sample size: 164

Top 10%: $ 273,000

Top 25%: $ 220,000

Median: $ 168,000

Bottom 25%: $ 130,000

Bottom 10%: $ 100,000

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 24, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Research Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Research Engineer job listings are Research, Engineering 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:

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Research Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Research Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. 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:

Salary Composition

The salary for a Research Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science typically comprises several components: a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is often the largest portion, accounting for 70-80% of the total compensation. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual contributions, usually ranging from 10-20% 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 package, especially in regions like Silicon Valley. In contrast, companies in other regions or industries might offer less in terms of equity but compensate with higher base salaries or bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from the position of a Research Engineer, consider the following strategies:

Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML that is in high demand, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision.
Leadership Roles: Transition into roles with more responsibility, such as a team lead or project manager, which often come with higher pay.
Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML by attending workshops, conferences, and online courses.
Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher pay during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements

Most Research Engineer positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or engineering. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles focused on cutting-edge research and development. The educational background should include a strong foundation in algorithms, statistics, and programming languages like Python or R.

Helpful Certifications

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

Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
TensorFlow Developer Certificate
AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications can validate your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Research Engineer role requires 3-5 years of experience in AI/ML or related fields. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in publishing research papers or contributing to open-source projects can also be beneficial, as it demonstrates your ability to contribute to the field's advancement.

Related salaries

Research Engineer @ $ 125,000 (global) - Entry-level / Junior Details

Research Engineer @ $ 128,167 (global) - Mid-level / Intermediate Details

Research Engineer @ $ 180,000 (global) - Senior-level / Expert Details

Research Engineer @ $ 152,500 (United States) - Entry-level / Junior Details

Research Engineer @ $ 129,083 (United States) - Mid-level / Intermediate Details

Research Engineer @ $ 175,500 (United States) Details

Research Engineer @ $ 182,400 (United States) - Senior-level / Expert Details

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