Salary for Entry-level / Junior Research Scientist during 2023

Salary details

The average entry-level / junior Research Scientist salary lies between USD 120,000 and USD 200,000 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: Nov. 24, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Entry-level / Junior Research Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with entry-level / junior Research Scientist job listings are Research, Machine Learning 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:

Research | 69 jobs Machine Learning | 52 jobs Python | 51 jobs Computer Science | 39 jobs Engineering | 35 jobs PyTorch | 28 jobs Mathematics | 27 jobs Deep Learning | 26 jobs PhD | 26 jobs NLP | 24 jobs R | 23 jobs NeurIPS | 23 jobs Computer Vision | 22 jobs ICML | 20 jobs TensorFlow | 19 jobs ICLR | 19 jobs Statistics | 18 jobs R&D | 14 jobs Robotics | 13 jobs Privacy | 11 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Entry-level / Junior Research Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with entry-level / junior Research Scientist job listings are Career development, Conferences 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 | 35 jobs Conferences | 32 jobs Health care | 30 jobs Flex hours | 21 jobs Startup environment | 19 jobs Flex vacation | 13 jobs Equity / stock options | 12 jobs Wellness | 12 jobs 401(k) matching | 10 jobs Competitive pay | 10 jobs Insurance | 9 jobs Team events | 8 jobs Parental leave | 7 jobs Salary bonus | 7 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 7 jobs Fitness / gym | 6 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 5 jobs Medical leave | 5 jobs Relocation support | 3 jobs Gear | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an entry-level or junior research scientist in AI/ML/Data Science typically comprises a base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The base salary is the fixed component and usually forms the bulk of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance, individual performance, and industry standards. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, bonuses and stock options can be substantial, often making up a significant portion of the total compensation. In contrast, companies in regions with a lower cost of living or smaller companies might offer smaller bonuses and fewer stock options. Industries such as finance or tech tend to offer higher compensation packages compared to academia or non-profit sectors.

Steps to Increase Salary

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

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update and expand your skill set, particularly in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or big data analytics.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's or Ph.D. can open doors to higher-level positions and increase earning potential.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about new opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
• Performance Excellence: Consistently exceed performance expectations to position yourself for promotions and salary increases.
• Industry Transition: Consider moving to industries or companies known for higher pay scales, such as tech giants or financial institutions.

Educational Requirements

Most entry-level positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, or engineering. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for research-focused roles. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of complex algorithms and methodologies, which are crucial for research positions.

Helpful Certifications

While not always required, certain certifications can enhance your resume and demonstrate your expertise:

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Data Science Council of America (DASCA) Certifications

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

Required Experience

For entry-level positions, employers typically look for candidates with some practical experience, which can be gained through internships, co-op programs, or relevant projects. Experience with programming languages like Python or R, familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, and a solid understanding of data analysis and visualization tools are often expected.

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