Salary for Senior-level / Expert AI Engineer in Canada during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert AI Engineer salary lies between USD 105,000 and USD 171,210 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: Dec. 22, 2024

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

Machine Learning | 666 jobs Python | 660 jobs Engineering | 638 jobs Computer Science | 461 jobs LLMs | 417 jobs Generative AI | 367 jobs Research | 355 jobs AWS | 349 jobs Architecture | 330 jobs PyTorch | 327 jobs Azure | 314 jobs NLP | 308 jobs TensorFlow | 287 jobs Pipelines | 277 jobs Deep Learning | 265 jobs Security | 262 jobs ML models | 232 jobs GCP | 211 jobs APIs | 190 jobs Agile | 186 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, Health care and Flex hours. 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 | 631 jobs Health care | 286 jobs Flex hours | 229 jobs Startup environment | 201 jobs Equity / stock options | 166 jobs Competitive pay | 161 jobs Team events | 112 jobs Salary bonus | 107 jobs Flex vacation | 100 jobs Parental leave | 95 jobs Insurance | 88 jobs Medical leave | 84 jobs 401(k) matching | 79 jobs Wellness | 76 jobs Conferences | 45 jobs Transparency | 35 jobs Relocation support | 28 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 28 jobs Gear | 25 jobs Fitness / gym | 24 jobs

Salary Composition for Senior AI Engineer Roles

In Canada, the salary composition for a Senior AI Engineer typically includes a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 70% to 85%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can make up 5% to 15% of the total compensation. 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, AI roles in finance or healthcare might offer higher bonuses compared to academia or smaller startups.

Steps to Increase Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 130,000, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning, which are in high demand.
• Pursue Leadership Roles: Transition into roles that combine technical expertise with leadership, such as AI team lead or AI project manager.
• Expand Your Network: Engage with industry professionals through conferences, workshops, and online platforms to open up new opportunities.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest AI trends and technologies through courses, workshops, and certifications.
• Negotiate Effectively: Leverage your experience and skills during salary negotiations, and be prepared to discuss your contributions and achievements.

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 that involve research and development. The educational background should include a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and programming. Courses in machine learning, deep learning, and data analysis are essential.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your expertise:

• 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 and knowledge in specific AI/ML tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior AI Engineer is expected to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience in AI/ML or related fields. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in leading projects or teams is highly valued, as is a proven track record of successful AI implementations.

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