Salary for Senior-level / Expert Director of Machine Learning during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Director of Machine Learning salary lies between USD 181,000 and USD 349,000 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. 15, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Director of Machine Learning roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Director of Machine Learning job listings are Machine Learning, Engineering and PyTorch. 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 | 4 jobs Engineering | 4 jobs PyTorch | 3 jobs Kubernetes | 3 jobs AWS | 3 jobs Research | 3 jobs Finance | 3 jobs Testing | 3 jobs GCP | 3 jobs Azure | 3 jobs ML models | 3 jobs Agile | 3 jobs Docker | 3 jobs Computer Science | 3 jobs Generative AI | 3 jobs API Development | 2 jobs Spark | 2 jobs Data pipelines | 2 jobs Architecture | 2 jobs GitLab | 2 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Director of Machine Learning roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Director of Machine Learning job listings are Career development, Startup environment and Competitive pay. 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 | 4 jobs Startup environment | 2 jobs Competitive pay | 2 jobs Relocation support | 2 jobs Equity / stock options | 1 jobs Health care | 1 jobs

Salary Composition for a Director of Machine Learning

The salary for a Director of Machine Learning typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The composition can vary significantly based on region, industry, and company size:

• Region: In the United States, particularly in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, New York, or Seattle, the base salary might be higher compared to other regions. In Europe, cities like London or Berlin offer competitive salaries, but they might be slightly lower than their U.S. counterparts due to different market dynamics.

• Industry: Tech companies, especially those in AI-driven sectors, tend to offer higher salaries and more substantial equity packages. In contrast, industries like finance or healthcare might offer competitive base salaries but with different bonus structures.

• Company Size: Larger companies often provide more structured compensation packages, including significant bonuses and stock options. Startups might offer lower base salaries but compensate with higher equity stakes, which can be lucrative if the company succeeds.

Steps to Increase Salary from This Position

To increase your salary beyond the Director level, consider the following strategies:

• Pursue Executive Roles: Aim for positions such as VP of Machine Learning or Chief AI Officer, which come with higher compensation packages.

• Expand Your Skill Set: Develop expertise in emerging AI technologies or business strategy to increase your value to the organization.

• Network and Build Influence: Establish yourself as a thought leader in the AI/ML community through speaking engagements, publications, or by leading significant projects.

• Negotiate Effectively: Leverage your achievements and market data to negotiate better compensation during performance reviews or when transitioning to new roles.

Educational Requirements

For a Director of Machine Learning, the most common educational requirements include:

• Advanced Degrees: A Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field is often required. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles focused on research and development.

• Strong Mathematical Foundation: Courses in statistics, linear algebra, and calculus are crucial for understanding and developing machine learning models.

Helpful Certifications

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

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP): Validates your expertise in machine learning principles and practices.

• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Demonstrates your ability to design, implement, and maintain machine learning solutions on the AWS platform.

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer: Shows proficiency in designing and building machine learning models on Google Cloud.

Experience Requirements

Typically, a Director of Machine Learning should have:

• 10+ Years of Experience: In data science, machine learning, or related fields, with a proven track record of leading successful projects.

• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor teams, as well as to drive strategic initiatives.

• Industry-Specific Experience: Familiarity with the specific challenges and opportunities within the industry you are targeting.

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