Salary for Senior-level / Expert AI Engineer during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert AI Engineer salary lies between USD 95,325 and USD 223,000 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 Senior-level / Expert AI Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Engineer job listings are Machine Learning, Python and Engineering. 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 | 107 jobs Python | 89 jobs Engineering | 73 jobs Computer Science | 58 jobs Research | 56 jobs Deep Learning | 47 jobs ML models | 47 jobs PyTorch | 44 jobs TensorFlow | 43 jobs Statistics | 40 jobs Architecture | 39 jobs LLMs | 36 jobs Generative AI | 36 jobs AWS | 34 jobs NLP | 30 jobs Security | 27 jobs Azure | 25 jobs R | 24 jobs Testing | 23 jobs Mathematics | 23 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Engineer job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Startup environment. 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 | 89 jobs Flex hours | 52 jobs Startup environment | 46 jobs Salary bonus | 38 jobs Health care | 34 jobs Team events | 29 jobs Flex vacation | 24 jobs Competitive pay | 23 jobs Equity / stock options | 21 jobs Parental leave | 16 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 15 jobs Yoga | 14 jobs Wellness | 13 jobs Medical leave | 13 jobs Home office stipend | 9 jobs 401(k) matching | 8 jobs Conferences | 8 jobs Insurance | 8 jobs Transparency | 5 jobs Fertility benefits | 5 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert AI Engineer typically comprises several components, which can vary based on region, industry, and company size. Generally, the salary is divided into:

• Base Salary: This is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation. In regions like North America and Western Europe, the base salary can be quite competitive due to high demand for AI expertise.

• Bonus: Many companies offer performance-based bonuses, which can be annual or quarterly. These bonuses are often tied to individual performance, team success, or company profitability. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, bonuses can be substantial, sometimes reaching 10-20% of the base salary.

• Equity or Stock Options: Particularly in startups and tech giants, equity can be a significant part of the compensation package. This offers potential long-term financial benefits if the company performs well.

• Additional Benefits: These can include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other perks like wellness programs or educational stipends. The value of these benefits can vary widely depending on the company and location.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a Senior-level AI Engineer position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize Further: Developing expertise in niche areas of AI, such as reinforcement learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, can make you more valuable.

• Leadership Roles: Transitioning into managerial or leadership roles, such as AI Team Lead or Director of AI, can significantly boost your earning potential.

• Consulting or Freelancing: Offering your expertise as a consultant or freelancer can provide additional income streams and potentially higher hourly rates.

• Continuous Learning: Staying updated with the latest AI trends and technologies through courses, workshops, and conferences can enhance your skills and marketability.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level AI Engineer positions require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, or Electrical Engineering. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles involving cutting-edge research or development of new AI methodologies. Strong mathematical and statistical knowledge is essential, as is proficiency in programming languages like Python, R, or Java.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can bolster your credentials:

• Certified Artificial Intelligence Practitioner (CAIP)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications demonstrate proficiency in specific tools and platforms, which can be advantageous in the job market.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level AI Engineer is expected to have 5-10 years of experience in AI, machine learning, or data science roles. This experience should include hands-on work with AI models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in leading projects or teams is also highly valued.

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