Salary for Executive-level / Director Head of AI during 2024

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Head of AI salary lies between USD 195,000 and USD 283,800 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 Executive-level / Director Head of AI roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with executive-level / director Head of AI job listings are Machine Learning, Engineering and Computer Science. 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:

Machine Learning | 56 jobs Engineering | 46 jobs Computer Science | 40 jobs Research | 35 jobs Generative AI | 27 jobs LLMs | 24 jobs NLP | 23 jobs AI strategy | 20 jobs Architecture | 17 jobs PhD | 14 jobs ML models | 14 jobs Privacy | 14 jobs Deep Learning | 13 jobs Computer Vision | 13 jobs Python | 12 jobs Azure | 12 jobs MLOps | 12 jobs AWS | 11 jobs Testing | 11 jobs Agile | 11 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Executive-level / Director Head of AI roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with executive-level / director Head of AI job listings are Career development, Startup environment 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 | 54 jobs Startup environment | 33 jobs Health care | 25 jobs Competitive pay | 21 jobs Equity / stock options | 20 jobs Team events | 19 jobs Flex hours | 14 jobs Wellness | 13 jobs Conferences | 13 jobs Parental leave | 12 jobs Insurance | 12 jobs Home office stipend | 11 jobs Medical leave | 10 jobs Salary bonus | 10 jobs Flex vacation | 9 jobs Transparency | 8 jobs 401(k) matching | 7 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 6 jobs Fitness / gym | 3 jobs Lunch / meals | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an Executive-level or Director Head of AI position typically comprises a mix of fixed salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration. The fixed salary is the base pay and usually forms the largest portion of the total compensation package. Bonuses can be performance-based, tied to individual, team, or company performance metrics, and may vary significantly depending on the industry and company size. Additional remuneration might include stock options, profit-sharing, or other long-term incentives, especially in tech companies or startups. In regions like North America and Western Europe, the compensation packages tend to be more generous, with a higher emphasis on equity and bonuses in tech hubs like Silicon Valley.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median for this role, consider the following strategies:

• Expand Your Network: Building relationships with industry leaders can open doors to higher-paying opportunities.
• Enhance Your Skills: Stay updated with the latest AI/ML technologies and methodologies. Specializing in emerging areas like quantum computing or ethical AI can make you more valuable.
• Seek Leadership Roles: Taking on more responsibilities or moving to a larger organization can lead to salary increases.
• Negotiate Effectively: Be prepared to negotiate your salary by understanding your market value and leveraging competing offers.

Educational Requirements

Most executive-level AI roles require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, or Artificial Intelligence. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that require deep technical expertise or are research-focused. Business acumen is also important, so an MBA or courses in business management can be beneficial.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile:

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications demonstrate a commitment to the field and a recognized level of expertise.

Required Experience

Typically, candidates for this role have 10-15 years of experience in AI/ML or related fields. This includes a proven track record of leading AI projects, managing teams, and delivering business value through AI solutions. Experience in strategic planning and a deep understanding of industry-specific applications of AI are also crucial.

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