Research Engineer Salary in United States during 2022

💰 The median Research Engineer Salary in United States during 2022 is USD 240,000

✏️ This salary info is based on 5 individual salaries reported during 2022

Salary details

The average Research Engineer salary lies between USD 150,000 and USD 249,500 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.

Job title: Research Engineer

Experience: all levels

Region: United States

Salary year: 2022

Sample size: 5

Top 10%: $ 250,000

Top 25%: $ 249,500

Median: $ 240,000

Bottom 25%: $ 150,000

Bottom 10%: $ 149,850

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 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 2022 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, Competitive pay and Health care. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Salary Composition for AI/ML/Data Science Research Engineers

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 60-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual contributions, 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 significantly increase total compensation, especially in regions like Silicon Valley. In smaller companies or less tech-centric regions, the base salary might constitute a larger portion of the total compensation, with fewer opportunities for bonuses or equity.

Steps to Increase Salary

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

Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand and can command higher salaries.
Pursue Leadership Roles: Transitioning into a lead or managerial role can significantly boost your salary. This might involve managing a team of engineers or leading a project.
Enhance Your Skills: Continuously update your skills with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML. This can be achieved through online courses, workshops, or advanced degrees.
Network and Build a Strong Professional Brand: Attend industry conferences, publish research papers, and engage with the AI/ML community to increase your visibility and reputation, which can lead to better job offers.
Negotiate Effectively: When offered a new position or during performance reviews, negotiate for higher pay by highlighting your achievements and the value you bring to the company.

Educational Requirements

Most Research Engineer positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a master's degree in a related 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 required, certain certifications can enhance your credentials 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 in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Experience Requirements

Typically, a Research Engineer role requires 3-5 years of experience in AI/ML or a related field. 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.

Related salaries

Research Engineer @ $ 149,925 (global) Details

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