Salary for Senior-level / Expert AI Software Engineer during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert AI Software Engineer salary lies between USD 116,000 and USD 234,770 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

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert AI Software Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Software Engineer job listings are Python, Computer Science and Machine Learning. 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 | 72 jobs Computer Science | 54 jobs Machine Learning | 50 jobs Engineering | 49 jobs LLMs | 49 jobs Architecture | 46 jobs Generative AI | 40 jobs Research | 39 jobs AWS | 33 jobs PyTorch | 32 jobs Azure | 32 jobs TensorFlow | 28 jobs Kubernetes | 28 jobs APIs | 28 jobs Pipelines | 27 jobs GCP | 26 jobs Docker | 26 jobs CI/CD | 24 jobs Java | 23 jobs Agile | 21 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Software Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Equity / stock options. 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 Health care | 34 jobs Equity / stock options | 25 jobs Startup environment | 23 jobs Competitive pay | 22 jobs Team events | 20 jobs Flex hours | 19 jobs Salary bonus | 19 jobs Medical leave | 18 jobs Flex vacation | 15 jobs Insurance | 11 jobs Wellness | 10 jobs Conferences | 10 jobs Parental leave | 7 jobs 401(k) matching | 6 jobs Transparency | 6 jobs Relocation support | 6 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Gear | 4 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert AI Software Engineer typically comprises several components: a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity. The composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size.

• Region: In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, New York, or Seattle, the base salary tends to be higher due to the cost of living and competition for talent. In contrast, regions with a lower cost of living might offer a smaller base salary but compensate with other benefits.
• Industry: Companies in the finance or healthcare sectors might offer higher bonuses due to the critical nature of AI applications in these fields. Conversely, startups might offer lower base salaries but compensate with equity or stock options.
• Company Size: Larger companies often provide a more substantial fixed salary and comprehensive benefits packages, while smaller companies or startups might offer more significant equity stakes as part of the compensation package.

Increasing Salary

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

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as AI Team Lead or Director of AI, which typically come with higher compensation.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML to remain competitive and justify salary increases.
• Networking and Visibility: Attend industry conferences, contribute to open-source projects, and publish research to increase your visibility and network within the industry.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level AI Software Engineer positions require at least a master's degree in computer science, data science, or a related field. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles focused on research and development. The educational background should include a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and computer programming.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate 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 tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level AI Software Engineer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in software engineering, with a significant portion dedicated to AI/ML projects. Experience should include:

• Developing and deploying machine learning models
• Working with large datasets and data pipelines
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Java
• Familiarity with AI/ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn

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