Salary for Senior-level / Expert AI Scientist during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert AI Scientist salary lies between USD 157,200 and USD 216,150 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 Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Scientist 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 | 76 jobs Python | 69 jobs Engineering | 62 jobs Research | 56 jobs Computer Science | 47 jobs LLMs | 44 jobs PyTorch | 43 jobs Generative AI | 42 jobs Deep Learning | 40 jobs NLP | 37 jobs Statistics | 36 jobs PhD | 34 jobs Mathematics | 32 jobs ML models | 27 jobs TensorFlow | 26 jobs AWS | 26 jobs Architecture | 25 jobs Computer Vision | 23 jobs Spark | 20 jobs Big Data | 18 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Scientist job listings are Career development, Conferences and Startup environment. 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 | 64 jobs Conferences | 21 jobs Startup environment | 19 jobs Team events | 19 jobs Flex hours | 18 jobs Health care | 16 jobs Competitive pay | 14 jobs Equity / stock options | 9 jobs Salary bonus | 9 jobs Transparency | 8 jobs Flex vacation | 6 jobs Insurance | 6 jobs Relocation support | 5 jobs Wellness | 4 jobs 401(k) matching | 2 jobs Parental leave | 2 jobs Medical leave | 2 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert AI Scientist 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 annual amount and usually constitutes the largest portion of the total compensation. In regions with a high cost of living, such as the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City, the base salary might be higher to account for living expenses.

• Performance Bonuses: These are often tied to individual, team, or company performance metrics. In tech-heavy industries, bonuses can be substantial, sometimes reaching 10-20% of the base salary.

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

• Other Benefits: These can include health insurance, retirement contributions, and other perks like wellness programs, professional development funds, or transportation allowances.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 185,000, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics, which are in high demand.

• Leadership Roles: Transition into roles that involve leading teams or projects, such as AI Director or Chief AI Officer, which typically offer higher compensation.

• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML through courses, workshops, and conferences. This not only enhances your skills but also increases your value to employers.

• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level AI Scientist position, the most common educational requirements include:

• Advanced Degrees: A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, or a related field is often preferred. However, a Master's degree with significant experience can also be sufficient.

• Strong Mathematical Foundation: Proficiency in statistics, linear algebra, and calculus is crucial, as these are the building blocks of AI/ML algorithms.

Helpful Certifications

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

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP): This certification demonstrates expertise in machine learning techniques and tools.

• TensorFlow Developer Certificate: Validates your ability to build and deploy machine learning models using TensorFlow.

• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Shows proficiency in designing and implementing machine learning solutions on the AWS platform.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level AI Scientist is expected to have:

• 5-10 Years of Experience: In AI/ML roles, with a proven track record of successful projects and contributions to the field.

• Project Management: Experience in managing complex AI projects from conception to deployment.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work with diverse teams, including data engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders.

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