Salary for Executive-level / Director Machine Learning Engineer during 2023

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Machine Learning Engineer salary lies between USD 160,000 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. 17, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Executive-level / Director Machine Learning Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with executive-level / director Machine Learning Engineer job listings are Machine Learning, Engineering 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:

Machine Learning | 16 jobs Engineering | 16 jobs Python | 14 jobs Computer Science | 11 jobs Java | 10 jobs Testing | 8 jobs GCP | 8 jobs Google Cloud | 8 jobs Hadoop | 7 jobs SQL | 7 jobs ML models | 7 jobs R | 6 jobs Spark | 6 jobs Research | 6 jobs Security | 6 jobs Architecture | 6 jobs Agile | 6 jobs TensorFlow | 5 jobs Keras | 5 jobs PyTorch | 5 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Executive-level / Director Machine Learning Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with executive-level / director Machine Learning Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. 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 | 14 jobs Health care | 6 jobs Flex hours | 5 jobs Startup environment | 5 jobs Insurance | 5 jobs Equity / stock options | 4 jobs Flex vacation | 4 jobs Wellness | 4 jobs Salary bonus | 3 jobs Lunch / meals | 2 jobs Competitive pay | 2 jobs Medical leave | 2 jobs 401(k) matching | 1 jobs Parental leave | 1 jobs Gear | 1 jobs Team events | 1 jobs Flexible spending account | 1 jobs Fertility benefits | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for an Executive-level or Director Machine Learning Engineer typically comprises several components. The fixed base salary is the largest portion, often accounting for 60-80% of the total compensation. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company success, usually make up 10-20%. Additional remuneration might include stock options, profit sharing, or other incentives, which can vary significantly depending on the company size, industry, and region. For instance, tech giants in Silicon Valley might offer substantial stock options, while companies in other regions might focus more on cash bonuses. In industries like finance or healthcare, bonuses might be more performance-driven, reflecting the company's financial success.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from this position, consider the following strategies:

• Expand Your Skill Set: Stay updated with the latest AI/ML technologies and methodologies. Specializing in emerging areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics can make you more valuable.
• Leadership and Management Skills: Enhance your leadership capabilities. Pursuing an MBA or leadership courses can prepare you for higher executive roles.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network. Engaging with industry leaders and participating in conferences can open up new opportunities.
• Performance and Results: Demonstrate your impact on the company’s success. Quantifiable achievements can be a strong negotiating point for a raise or promotion.

Educational Requirements

Most executive-level roles in AI/ML require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, or engineering. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that involve significant research components. Additionally, a strong foundation in mathematics and statistics is crucial, as these are the backbone of machine learning algorithms.

Helpful Certificates

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

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications demonstrate your expertise in specific tools and platforms, which can be particularly appealing to employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Director of Machine Learning would have 10-15 years of experience in the field. This includes hands-on experience with machine learning projects, as well as several years in leadership roles. Experience in managing teams, overseeing large-scale projects, and strategic planning is often required. A proven track record of successful AI/ML implementations and innovations is highly valued.

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