Salary for Entry-level / Junior AI Developer during 2023

Salary details

The average entry-level / junior AI Developer salary lies between USD 64,781 and USD 130,000 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: Oct. 28, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Entry-level / Junior AI Developer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with entry-level / junior AI Developer job listings are Python, Machine Learning and NLP. 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:

Python | 4 jobs Machine Learning | 4 jobs NLP | 4 jobs Computer Science | 4 jobs Java | 4 jobs R | 2 jobs JavaScript | 2 jobs Deep Learning | 2 jobs Computer Vision | 2 jobs Conversational AI | 2 jobs TensorFlow | 2 jobs PyTorch | 2 jobs Matlab | 2 jobs Research | 2 jobs Economics | 2 jobs Engineering | 2 jobs Consulting | 2 jobs Finance | 2 jobs Security | 2 jobs Theano | 2 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Entry-level / Junior AI Developer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with entry-level / junior AI Developer job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Health care. 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 | 4 jobs Flex hours | 2 jobs Health care | 2 jobs Salary bonus | 2 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an entry-level or junior AI developer typically consists of a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The base salary is the fixed component and usually makes up the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s policies and the individual's performance. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies, or benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. The composition can vary by region, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley offering higher base salaries and stock options, while other regions might offer more in bonuses. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and healthcare sectors might offer higher bonuses compared to academia or startups. Company size can influence the package as well, with larger companies often providing more comprehensive benefits and smaller companies offering more equity-based compensation.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from an entry-level position, consider the following steps:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously upgrade your skills by learning new programming languages, tools, and frameworks relevant to AI/ML.
• Specialization: Focus on a niche area within AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning, which can make you more valuable.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's or Ph.D. in a related field can open up higher-paying opportunities.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network by attending industry conferences, joining AI/ML communities, and connecting with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn.
• Performance and Results: Demonstrate your ability to deliver results and contribute to projects, which can lead to promotions and salary increases.
• Switching Companies: Sometimes, moving to a different company can result in a significant salary bump, especially if you have gained valuable experience and skills.

Educational Requirements

Most entry-level AI developer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. Some positions might accept candidates with degrees in other disciplines if they have relevant experience or skills. A strong foundation in mathematics, particularly in linear algebra, calculus, and probability, is often essential. Additionally, coursework or experience in programming languages such as Python, R, or Java is typically required.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some popular certifications include:

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

These certifications can validate your skills and knowledge in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Experience Requirements

For an entry-level position, employers typically look for candidates with some practical experience, which can be gained through internships, projects, or contributions to open-source AI/ML initiatives. Experience with data analysis, model building, and using machine learning libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn is often expected. Familiarity with data preprocessing, feature engineering, and model evaluation techniques is also beneficial.

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