Research Scientist Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Research Scientist salary lies between USD 145,000 and USD 240,240 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: Jan. 12, 2025

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Research Scientist roles

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

Research | 2077 jobs Machine Learning | 1688 jobs Python | 1559 jobs PhD | 1343 jobs Computer Science | 1312 jobs Engineering | 1196 jobs Deep Learning | 967 jobs PyTorch | 879 jobs NLP | 829 jobs Computer Vision | 762 jobs Physics | 727 jobs NeurIPS | 698 jobs LLMs | 682 jobs Statistics | 612 jobs ICLR | 589 jobs ICML | 580 jobs TensorFlow | 569 jobs Mathematics | 564 jobs VR | 532 jobs Architecture | 525 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Research Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Research Scientist job listings are Career development, Equity / stock options and Health care. 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 | 1672 jobs Equity / stock options | 1100 jobs Health care | 1078 jobs Conferences | 1029 jobs Salary bonus | 678 jobs Flex vacation | 411 jobs Medical leave | 395 jobs Insurance | 375 jobs Parental leave | 367 jobs Flex hours | 357 jobs 401(k) matching | 323 jobs Competitive pay | 313 jobs Startup environment | 298 jobs Team events | 254 jobs Flexible spending account | 191 jobs Wellness | 160 jobs Transparency | 89 jobs Relocation support | 87 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 50 jobs Fitness / gym | 44 jobs

Salary Composition for AI/ML/Data Science Research Scientists

The salary for a Research Scientist in AI/ML/Data Science 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 largest part of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual contributions. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, equity or stock options are common, providing long-term incentives aligned with the company's success. In contrast, companies in other regions or industries might offer less in terms of equity but compensate with higher base salaries or bonuses. Larger companies often have more structured compensation packages, while startups might offer more equity to offset lower base salaries.

Steps to Increase Salary from This Position

To increase your salary beyond the median for a Research Scientist, 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.
• Pursue Leadership Roles: Transition into roles that involve leading teams or projects, as these often come with higher compensation.
• Enhance Your Skills: Continuously update your skills with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML.
• Network and Collaborate: Engage with the AI/ML community through conferences, publications, and collaborations, which can open doors to higher-paying opportunities.
• Negotiate Offers: When changing jobs, negotiate your salary based on your experience, skills, and the value you bring to the company.

Educational Requirements

Most Research Scientist positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a Master's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or Mathematics. However, a Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles focused on cutting-edge research and development. A strong academic background provides the theoretical foundation necessary for tackling complex problems in AI/ML.

Helpful Certifications

While not always required, 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 in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Experience Requirements

Typically, a Research Scientist role requires several years of experience in AI/ML or related fields. This experience can be gained through academic research, industry projects, or a combination of both. Experience in developing and deploying machine learning models, working with large datasets, and publishing research papers can be particularly valuable.

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