Salary for Entry-level / Junior AI Engineer during 2024

Salary details

The average entry-level / junior AI Engineer salary lies between USD 42,866 and USD 84,111 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: Dec. 22, 2024

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

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

Python | 134 jobs Engineering | 106 jobs Machine Learning | 104 jobs LLMs | 72 jobs Computer Science | 68 jobs Research | 59 jobs Generative AI | 53 jobs NLP | 50 jobs Deep Learning | 48 jobs Agile | 47 jobs TensorFlow | 42 jobs Azure | 40 jobs PyTorch | 39 jobs Mathematics | 36 jobs Architecture | 35 jobs AWS | 32 jobs APIs | 32 jobs SQL | 27 jobs Git | 27 jobs Docker | 27 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with entry-level / junior AI Engineer job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Startup environment. 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 | 96 jobs Flex hours | 37 jobs Startup environment | 28 jobs Health care | 25 jobs Team events | 22 jobs Competitive pay | 19 jobs Flex vacation | 11 jobs Fitness / gym | 7 jobs Equity / stock options | 6 jobs Conferences | 6 jobs Salary bonus | 6 jobs Wellness | 5 jobs Gear | 5 jobs Yoga | 5 jobs Medical leave | 5 jobs Insurance | 5 jobs Parental leave | 4 jobs Relocation support | 4 jobs 401(k) matching | 3 jobs Travel | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an entry-level or junior AI Engineer typically consists of a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. In addition to the base salary, many companies offer performance-based bonuses, which can vary significantly depending on the company's profitability and individual performance. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech startups or larger tech companies, and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

The composition of the salary can vary based on several factors:

• Region: Salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, New York, or Seattle tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for tech talent. In contrast, regions with a lower cost of living may offer lower salaries.
• Industry: Industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology often offer higher salaries for AI roles compared to sectors like education or non-profits.
• Company Size: Larger companies may offer more comprehensive benefits and bonuses, while startups might offer equity as part of the compensation package.

Steps to Increase Salary

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

• Skill Development: Continuously update and expand your skill set. Specializing in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision can make you more valuable.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field can open up higher-paying opportunities.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network. Attend industry conferences, join AI/ML communities, and connect with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn.
• Performance Excellence: Consistently exceed performance expectations and take on challenging projects to demonstrate your value to the company.
• Negotiation: When the opportunity arises, negotiate your salary based on your contributions, market research, and industry standards.

Educational Requirements

Most entry-level AI Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for roles that involve more complex problem-solving and research.

Helpful Certifications

While not always required, certain certifications can enhance your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field:

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty

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

Experience Requirements

For entry-level positions, employers typically look for candidates with some practical experience, which can be gained through internships, co-op programs, or personal projects. Experience with programming languages like Python or R, and familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, is often expected.

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