Salary for Senior-level / Expert AI Developer in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert AI Developer salary lies between USD 168,000 and USD 252,000 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: Nov. 17, 2024

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 | 129 jobs Generative AI | 92 jobs Engineering | 78 jobs Machine Learning | 73 jobs Computer Science | 61 jobs JavaScript | 58 jobs Azure | 54 jobs AWS | 51 jobs Research | 48 jobs LLMs | 48 jobs NLP | 46 jobs LangChain | 45 jobs Prompt engineering | 43 jobs Testing | 42 jobs Java | 40 jobs APIs | 38 jobs GCP | 37 jobs LLaMA | 37 jobs TypeScript | 35 jobs OpenAI | 35 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 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 | 118 jobs Flex hours | 73 jobs Health care | 28 jobs Team events | 28 jobs Equity / stock options | 22 jobs Startup environment | 21 jobs Salary bonus | 17 jobs Competitive pay | 15 jobs Parental leave | 14 jobs Flex vacation | 14 jobs Medical leave | 11 jobs Insurance | 10 jobs 401(k) matching | 9 jobs Wellness | 8 jobs Conferences | 6 jobs Fitness / gym | 4 jobs Gear | 3 jobs Transparency | 3 jobs Home office stipend | 3 jobs Yoga | 2 jobs

Salary Composition for Senior-Level AI Developer Roles

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert AI Developer typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary often constitutes the largest portion, ranging from 70% to 85% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual contributions, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech firms and startups, potentially making up 5% to 15% of the total package.

Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like San Francisco or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job markets. Industry-wise, sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology often offer higher compensation compared to academia or non-profit organizations. Company size can also influence salary composition, with larger companies typically offering more comprehensive benefits and stock options.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Senior-Level Position

To increase your salary beyond the Senior-level AI Developer position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize Further: Develop expertise in niche areas of AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as AI Team Lead or Director of AI, which often come with higher compensation.
• Consulting or Freelancing: Explore opportunities in consulting or freelancing, where you can leverage your expertise for multiple clients, potentially increasing your income.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML through courses, workshops, and conferences, which can make you more valuable to employers.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about high-paying opportunities and negotiate better compensation packages.

Educational Requirements for Senior-Level AI Developer Roles

Most Senior-level AI Developer positions require at least a master's degree in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, or a related field. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve research and development of new AI technologies. These educational qualifications provide a strong foundation in algorithms, machine learning, and data analysis, which are crucial for the role.

Helpful Certifications for AI Developers

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Artificial Intelligence Practitioner (CAIP)
• 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 in specific AI/ML tools and platforms, making you a more attractive candidate.

Experience Required for Senior-Level AI Developer Roles

Typically, a Senior-level AI Developer is expected to have at least 5 to 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 or teams, as well as a proven track record of successful AI implementations, is highly valued. Additionally, experience in a specific industry, such as finance, healthcare, or technology, can be advantageous.

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