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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert AI Specialist salary lies between USD 130,000 and USD 215,600 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: Dec. 22, 2024

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Specialist job listings are Machine Learning, Generative AI and Python. 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 | 72 jobs Generative AI | 72 jobs Python | 59 jobs Engineering | 58 jobs LLMs | 57 jobs Azure | 47 jobs Computer Science | 46 jobs Consulting | 45 jobs AWS | 44 jobs NLP | 43 jobs Deep Learning | 37 jobs Architecture | 35 jobs PyTorch | 33 jobs TensorFlow | 32 jobs Security | 30 jobs Research | 28 jobs Computer Vision | 27 jobs GCP | 25 jobs APIs | 25 jobs Prompt engineering | 25 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert AI Specialist job listings are Career development, Team events 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 | 79 jobs Team events | 38 jobs Flex hours | 35 jobs Health care | 32 jobs Competitive pay | 30 jobs Equity / stock options | 29 jobs Conferences | 21 jobs Startup environment | 18 jobs 401(k) matching | 14 jobs Medical leave | 10 jobs Parental leave | 8 jobs Flex vacation | 7 jobs Insurance | 7 jobs Salary bonus | 6 jobs Flexible spending account | 6 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Wellness | 4 jobs Transparency | 4 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 4 jobs Lunch / meals | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert AI Specialist 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 70% to 85%. 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, can be a significant part of the package in larger tech firms or startups, potentially adding another 5% to 15% to the total compensation. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job market. Industry-wise, sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology often offer higher compensation packages compared to others.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 165,825, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as AI team lead or head of data science, which typically offer higher salaries.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML through courses, workshops, and conferences, demonstrating your commitment to growth.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
• Negotiation Skills: Enhance your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during job offers or performance reviews.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level or Expert AI Specialist position, a strong educational background is essential. Most employers require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or statistics. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles involving research and development of new AI algorithms or technologies. Additionally, a solid foundation in programming languages like Python, R, or Java, and experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, is crucial.

Helpful Certificates

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

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

These certifications can validate your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level or Expert AI Specialist is expected to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include hands-on work with AI/ML projects, a track record of successful implementations, and a deep understanding of data analysis and model development. Experience in leading projects or teams, as well as a history of published research or contributions to the AI community, can also be advantageous.

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