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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert AI Lead salary lies between USD 110,000 and USD 236,220 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 Lead roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Lead job listings are Engineering, Machine Learning and Computer Science. 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:

Engineering | 56 jobs Machine Learning | 53 jobs Computer Science | 49 jobs Python | 38 jobs Generative AI | 35 jobs Consulting | 30 jobs Security | 28 jobs Deep Learning | 27 jobs Research | 26 jobs Azure | 24 jobs GCP | 22 jobs Agile | 22 jobs NLP | 20 jobs AWS | 20 jobs PyTorch | 19 jobs R | 17 jobs TensorFlow | 16 jobs SQL | 16 jobs Finance | 16 jobs Architecture | 15 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Lead 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 | 66 jobs Health care | 31 jobs Flex hours | 21 jobs Startup environment | 18 jobs Equity / stock options | 17 jobs Team events | 17 jobs Salary bonus | 17 jobs Competitive pay | 16 jobs Medical leave | 11 jobs Insurance | 10 jobs Parental leave | 8 jobs Flex vacation | 6 jobs Wellness | 6 jobs Conferences | 5 jobs Transparency | 4 jobs Relocation support | 4 jobs 401(k) matching | 2 jobs Lunch / meals | 2 jobs Fitness / gym | 2 jobs Fertility benefits | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert AI Lead typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance-based 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 60% to 80%. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual achievements, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total compensation. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can make up the remaining 10% to 20%, particularly in larger tech firms or startups. The composition can vary by region, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley offering higher equity components, while industries such as finance might offer more substantial bonuses. Company size also plays a role, with larger companies typically providing more structured bonus and equity packages.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 157,100, consider pursuing leadership roles that involve greater responsibility, such as Director of AI or Chief AI Officer. Expanding your expertise into emerging areas like AI ethics, explainable AI, or AI strategy can also make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles and attending conferences can open up opportunities for higher-paying roles. Additionally, negotiating your salary based on market research and leveraging offers from other companies can be effective strategies. Continuous learning and staying updated with the latest AI trends and technologies will also enhance your value in the job market.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level or Expert AI Lead position, a strong educational background is typically required. Most candidates hold at least a Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, or a related field. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that involve research and development of new AI technologies. A solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, and programming is essential, and coursework in machine learning, deep learning, and data analysis is highly beneficial.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your expertise. Certifications such as the Certified Artificial Intelligence Practitioner (CAIP), TensorFlow Developer Certificate, or AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty can be valuable. These certifications validate your skills in specific AI/ML tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, completing courses from reputable institutions like Coursera, edX, or Udacity in AI and machine learning can also be beneficial.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level or Expert AI Lead position requires extensive experience in the field, often ranging from 7 to 10 years. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and AI system deployment. Leadership experience is crucial, as the role often involves managing teams and projects. Experience in a specific industry, such as healthcare, finance, or technology, can also be advantageous, as it provides domain-specific insights that are valuable in AI applications.

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