Salary for Senior-level / Expert Backend Engineer in United Kingdom during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Backend Engineer salary lies between USD 130,000 and USD 206,250 in the United Kingdom. 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 Backend Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Backend Engineer job listings are Python, Engineering 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 | 254 jobs Engineering | 240 jobs Machine Learning | 217 jobs APIs | 189 jobs AWS | 177 jobs Architecture | 172 jobs Kubernetes | 160 jobs Computer Science | 139 jobs Docker | 133 jobs Java | 124 jobs Pipelines | 121 jobs PostgreSQL | 106 jobs Security | 103 jobs GCP | 102 jobs Testing | 87 jobs Microservices | 81 jobs CI/CD | 81 jobs ML models | 78 jobs Research | 77 jobs LLMs | 77 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Backend 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 | 222 jobs Health care | 129 jobs Equity / stock options | 122 jobs Startup environment | 122 jobs Flex hours | 102 jobs Competitive pay | 94 jobs Flex vacation | 71 jobs Team events | 68 jobs Parental leave | 65 jobs Insurance | 55 jobs Salary bonus | 54 jobs Medical leave | 45 jobs Home office stipend | 38 jobs Wellness | 30 jobs 401(k) matching | 21 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 20 jobs Gear | 18 jobs Transparency | 15 jobs Fitness / gym | 9 jobs Conferences | 9 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United Kingdom, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Backend Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies or startups. The fixed base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 60% to 80%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual contributions, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total package. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can be a significant part of the compensation in larger tech firms or startups, potentially making up 10% to 20% of the total package. The exact composition can vary based on the region, with London typically offering higher salaries due to the cost of living, and the industry, with finance and tech sectors often providing more lucrative packages. Company size also plays a role, with larger companies generally offering more comprehensive benefits and bonuses.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary further from this position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area within AI/ML or Data Science that is in high demand but has a limited supply of experts. This could include areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics.

• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Technical Lead or Engineering Manager, which often come with higher compensation.

• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML. Pursuing advanced certifications or a master's degree in a related field can also enhance your qualifications.

• Networking: Engage with professional networks and communities. Opportunities often arise through connections, and being active in the community can lead to higher-paying roles.

• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher pay during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level or Expert Backend Engineer role in AI/ML/Data Science, a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field is typically required. However, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or even a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, especially for roles that involve complex algorithm development or research. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of machine learning models, data structures, and algorithms, which are crucial for this role.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications validate your skills in deploying machine learning models and working with cloud-based AI services, which are increasingly important in the industry.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level or Expert Backend Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science is expected to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience in software development, with a significant portion of that time spent working on AI/ML projects. Experience in designing and implementing scalable backend systems, proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++, and familiarity with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch are often required. Experience in leading projects or teams can also be beneficial.

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