Salary for Senior-level / Expert Machine Learning Developer during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Developer salary lies between USD 128,300 and USD 203,000 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 Machine Learning Developer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Developer 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 | 49 jobs Python | 44 jobs Engineering | 40 jobs ML models | 31 jobs Research | 26 jobs PyTorch | 25 jobs AWS | 25 jobs TensorFlow | 22 jobs Testing | 22 jobs Architecture | 22 jobs Deep Learning | 21 jobs Computer Science | 18 jobs Scikit-learn | 14 jobs Data analysis | 14 jobs Pipelines | 13 jobs Spark | 12 jobs NLP | 11 jobs Kubernetes | 11 jobs Security | 11 jobs Statistics | 11 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Developer job listings are Career development, Health care 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 | 37 jobs Health care | 19 jobs Flex hours | 15 jobs Competitive pay | 13 jobs Flex vacation | 11 jobs Equity / stock options | 9 jobs Team events | 9 jobs Salary bonus | 9 jobs Parental leave | 8 jobs Medical leave | 7 jobs Startup environment | 5 jobs Insurance | 3 jobs Transparency | 2 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 2 jobs Home office stipend | 2 jobs 401(k) matching | 1 jobs Conferences | 1 jobs Flexible spending account | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Machine Learning Developer typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually forms the largest part of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual achievements. In tech hubs like Silicon Valley, equity or stock options are common, providing long-term incentives. In regions with a high cost of living, such as New York or San Francisco, the base salary might be higher to compensate for living expenses. In contrast, companies in smaller markets might offer lower base salaries but compensate with higher bonuses or equity.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a Senior-level position, consider transitioning into roles with greater responsibility, such as a Machine Learning Architect or a leadership position like Head of AI/ML. Specializing in high-demand areas such as deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics can also command higher salaries. Additionally, gaining expertise in emerging technologies or industries, such as autonomous vehicles or healthcare AI, can provide leverage for salary negotiations. Networking and building a strong personal brand in the AI/ML community can also open doors to higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Machine Learning Developer roles require at least a Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve research or developing new algorithms. A strong foundation in mathematics, particularly in linear algebra, calculus, and probability, is essential. Additionally, coursework or experience in software engineering and data management is highly beneficial.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile. Certificates from reputable institutions, such as the "Professional Certificate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence" from MIT or the "Deep Learning Specialization" by Andrew Ng on Coursera, can be valuable. Certifications in cloud platforms like AWS Certified Machine Learning or Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer can also be advantageous, especially if the role involves deploying models in cloud environments.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Machine Learning Developer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in the field. This includes hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and a track record of successfully deploying machine learning models in production. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior developers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also crucial.

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