Salary for Entry-level / Junior Research Scientist in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average entry-level / junior Research Scientist salary lies between USD 137,750 and USD 250,000 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: Nov. 17, 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Research | 426 jobs Machine Learning | 359 jobs Python | 354 jobs PhD | 336 jobs Computer Science | 267 jobs NeurIPS | 252 jobs Computer Vision | 243 jobs Deep Learning | 240 jobs PyTorch | 237 jobs ICLR | 226 jobs NLP | 215 jobs ICML | 212 jobs Physics | 208 jobs Engineering | 185 jobs VR | 177 jobs LLMs | 155 jobs Open Source | 152 jobs TensorFlow | 143 jobs Mathematics | 126 jobs Statistics | 113 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 360 jobs Conferences | 281 jobs Health care | 274 jobs Equity / stock options | 236 jobs Salary bonus | 136 jobs Medical leave | 116 jobs Flex vacation | 100 jobs Insurance | 95 jobs Parental leave | 91 jobs 401(k) matching | 83 jobs Startup environment | 82 jobs Flexible spending account | 79 jobs Team events | 48 jobs Transparency | 35 jobs Flex hours | 33 jobs Competitive pay | 21 jobs Wellness | 16 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Relocation support | 4 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for an entry-level or junior research scientist in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a base salary, performance bonuses, and sometimes additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s policy and individual performance, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration like stock options is more common in larger tech companies or startups, where they are used as an incentive to align employee interests with company growth. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like San Francisco or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job market. Industry-wise, tech companies generally offer higher compensation compared to academia or non-profit organizations.

Next Steps for Salary Increase

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

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update and expand your skill set, particularly in emerging technologies and tools in AI/ML.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's or Ph.D. can open doors to higher-level positions and salary brackets.
• 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 raises.
• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML that is in high demand, such as natural language processing or computer vision.

Educational Requirements

Most entry-level or junior research scientist positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or statistics. However, a master's degree is often preferred and can make candidates more competitive. Some roles, especially those in research-intensive environments, may require a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline.

Helpful Certificates

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

• 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 widely used in the industry.

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 during your academic career. Experience with programming languages such as Python or R, and familiarity with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, is often expected. Additionally, experience in data analysis and statistical modeling can be advantageous.

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