Salary for Mid-level / Intermediate AI Researcher in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average mid-level / intermediate AI Researcher salary lies between USD 160,000 and USD 248,500 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: Dec. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Mid-level / Intermediate AI Researcher roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with mid-level / intermediate AI Researcher job listings are Machine Learning, Python and Research. 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 | 25 jobs Python | 21 jobs Research | 21 jobs Computer Science | 19 jobs Deep Learning | 15 jobs Engineering | 14 jobs Computer Vision | 12 jobs PyTorch | 12 jobs Generative AI | 12 jobs PhD | 11 jobs LLMs | 10 jobs Architecture | 9 jobs NLP | 8 jobs TensorFlow | 8 jobs Azure | 7 jobs Data analysis | 7 jobs Generative modeling | 7 jobs Security | 6 jobs ML models | 6 jobs Pipelines | 6 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Mid-level / Intermediate AI Researcher roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with mid-level / intermediate AI Researcher job listings are Career development, Startup environment and Conferences. 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 | 18 jobs Startup environment | 11 jobs Conferences | 11 jobs Equity / stock options | 9 jobs Wellness | 8 jobs Parental leave | 7 jobs Flex hours | 6 jobs Health care | 6 jobs Competitive pay | 6 jobs Team events | 6 jobs Insurance | 4 jobs Transparency | 3 jobs Medical leave | 3 jobs Salary bonus | 3 jobs Home office stipend | 3 jobs Cell phone stipend | 3 jobs Flex vacation | 1 jobs Travel | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a mid-level AI researcher can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary package includes a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation. This base salary can range from 70% to 85% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which are often performance-based, can account for 10% to 20% of the total salary. These bonuses may be tied to individual performance, team achievements, or company-wide success metrics. Additionally, stock options or equity, particularly in tech companies or startups, can form a significant part of the remuneration, sometimes making up 5% to 15% of the total package. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks also contribute to the overall compensation but are not typically included in the salary index figures.

Next Steps for Salary Increase

To increase your salary further from a mid-level AI researcher position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML that is in high demand, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning. Specialization can make you more valuable to employers.

• Leadership Roles: Transition into roles that involve leading projects or teams. Management positions often come with higher salaries and additional bonuses.

• Networking and Visibility: Attend conferences, publish research papers, and contribute to open-source projects. Building a strong professional network and gaining visibility in the AI community can lead to higher-paying opportunities.

• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML. Pursuing advanced certifications or further education, such as a Ph.D., can also enhance your qualifications and salary prospects.

Educational Requirements

Most mid-level AI researcher positions require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or engineering. A strong foundation in statistics, machine learning, and programming is essential. Some positions may prefer candidates with a Ph.D., especially for roles that involve cutting-edge research or complex problem-solving.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. 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 in specific tools and platforms commonly used in the industry.

Required Experience

Typically, a mid-level AI researcher is expected to have 3 to 5 years of relevant experience. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in deploying AI solutions in real-world applications and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued.

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