Salary for Executive-level / Director Machine Learning Engineer in Canada during 2024

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Machine Learning Engineer salary lies between USD 160,000 and USD 200,000 in Canada. 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. 24, 2024

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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Machine Learning | 46 jobs Engineering | 44 jobs Python | 32 jobs ML models | 27 jobs Computer Science | 26 jobs Architecture | 25 jobs PyTorch | 21 jobs LLMs | 21 jobs Research | 19 jobs AWS | 18 jobs Pipelines | 18 jobs Statistics | 16 jobs Deep Learning | 15 jobs TensorFlow | 15 jobs Scikit-learn | 15 jobs PhD | 15 jobs Testing | 14 jobs Java | 12 jobs NLP | 11 jobs RAG | 11 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 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 | 46 jobs Health care | 29 jobs Startup environment | 29 jobs Equity / stock options | 20 jobs Competitive pay | 19 jobs Flex hours | 17 jobs Salary bonus | 16 jobs 401(k) matching | 14 jobs Parental leave | 13 jobs Wellness | 13 jobs Insurance | 13 jobs Flex vacation | 10 jobs Home office stipend | 9 jobs Team events | 5 jobs Medical leave | 4 jobs Relocation support | 1 jobs Pet friendly | 1 jobs Flexible spending account | 1 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 1 jobs Paid sabbatical | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In Canada, the salary composition for an Executive-level or Director Machine Learning Engineer typically includes a mix of base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary often constitutes the largest portion, ranging from 60% to 80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual achievements, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can make up 10% to 20% of the total package. The exact composition can vary based on the region, with tech hubs like Toronto and Vancouver offering more competitive packages. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and tech sectors tend to offer higher bonuses compared to academia or government roles.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 160,000, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML, such as natural language processing or computer vision, which can command higher salaries.
• Leadership Skills: Enhance your leadership and management skills to take on more significant responsibilities, potentially moving into a VP or C-level position.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to open up opportunities for higher-paying roles or consulting gigs.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in AI/ML to remain competitive and justify salary increases.
• Performance Metrics: Demonstrate your impact on the company's bottom line through successful projects and innovations, which can be leveraged during salary negotiations.

Educational Requirements

For an Executive-level or Director Machine Learning Engineer position, a strong educational background is essential. Most candidates hold at least a Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, or a related field. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that require deep technical expertise and research capabilities. Additionally, a solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, and programming is crucial.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile 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
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer

These certifications can validate your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate for higher-level positions.

Required Experience

Typically, candidates for this role have at least 8-10 years of experience in AI/ML or data science, with a significant portion of that time spent in leadership or managerial roles. Experience in leading teams, managing projects, and delivering successful AI/ML solutions is crucial. Additionally, experience in a specific industry, such as finance, healthcare, or technology, can be advantageous.

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