Salary for Senior-level / Expert AI Developer during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert AI Developer salary lies between USD 168,000 and USD 252,000 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: Dec. 22, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert AI Developer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Developer job listings are Python, Generative AI and Engineering. 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:

Python | 147 jobs Generative AI | 103 jobs Engineering | 90 jobs Machine Learning | 89 jobs Computer Science | 73 jobs Azure | 66 jobs AWS | 61 jobs JavaScript | 59 jobs NLP | 57 jobs Research | 56 jobs LLMs | 53 jobs TensorFlow | 45 jobs Testing | 45 jobs Prompt engineering | 45 jobs LangChain | 45 jobs Java | 45 jobs GCP | 44 jobs APIs | 44 jobs PyTorch | 40 jobs Agile | 39 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert AI Developer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Developer job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Team events. 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 | 134 jobs Flex hours | 80 jobs Team events | 34 jobs Health care | 32 jobs Startup environment | 26 jobs Equity / stock options | 25 jobs Salary bonus | 22 jobs Parental leave | 18 jobs Flex vacation | 18 jobs Competitive pay | 17 jobs Medical leave | 15 jobs Insurance | 13 jobs 401(k) matching | 11 jobs Wellness | 8 jobs Conferences | 6 jobs Gear | 5 jobs Fitness / gym | 4 jobs Transparency | 3 jobs Home office stipend | 3 jobs Relocation support | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert AI Developer typically comprises several components: a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity. The composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, the base salary might be higher, but companies often offer substantial stock options as part of the compensation package. In contrast, companies in regions with a lower cost of living might offer a smaller base salary but compensate with higher bonuses. Industries such as finance or healthcare may offer higher bonuses due to the critical nature of AI applications in these fields. Larger companies often provide more comprehensive benefits and equity options, while startups might offer more significant equity stakes in lieu of a higher base salary.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 185,000, consider pursuing leadership roles such as AI Team Lead or AI Director, which often come with higher compensation. Specializing in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics can also make you more valuable. Additionally, contributing to open-source projects, publishing research papers, or speaking at industry conferences can enhance your reputation and lead to higher-paying opportunities. Networking with industry leaders and joining professional organizations can also open doors to lucrative positions.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level AI developer roles require at least a master's degree in computer science, data science, or a related field. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles focused on research and development. These educational programs typically cover essential topics such as machine learning, statistics, data analysis, and programming, providing a strong foundation for a career in AI.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can bolster your credentials and demonstrate expertise. Certifications from reputable organizations like the Certified Artificial Intelligence Practitioner (CAIP) or the TensorFlow Developer Certificate can be beneficial. Additionally, completing specialized courses from platforms like Coursera, edX, or Udacity in machine learning, deep learning, or data science can also enhance your skill set and marketability.

Required Experience

Typically, a senior-level AI developer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior developers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued. A proven track record of successful AI implementations and a portfolio showcasing your work can significantly strengthen your application.

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