Salary for Senior-level / Expert Machine Learning Engineer during 2021

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Engineer salary lies between USD 66,265 and USD 200,000 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. 29, 2024

Salary trend

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Machine Learning Engineer typically comprises a base salary, 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 bulk of the total compensation package. Bonuses can be performance-based or company-wide, and they vary significantly depending on the company's financial health and individual performance. Additional remuneration like stock options is more common in startups or large tech firms and can be a significant part of the total compensation, especially in regions like Silicon Valley. In terms of regional differences, salaries tend to be higher in tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, or Seattle compared to other regions. Industry-wise, tech companies, finance, and healthcare tend to offer higher salaries compared to academia or non-profit sectors. Larger companies often provide more comprehensive compensation packages, including benefits and bonuses, compared to smaller firms.

Increasing Salary

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

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of machine learning, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which can make you more valuable to employers.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Machine Learning Team Lead or Director of AI, which typically come with higher salaries.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML, and consider pursuing advanced certifications or courses.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher pay during job offers or performance reviews.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Machine Learning Engineer positions require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or Electrical Engineering. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve research or developing new algorithms. 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 your expertise to potential employers. Some valuable certifications include:

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

These certifications can validate your skills in specific platforms or tools and show your commitment to professional development.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Machine Learning Engineer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in leading projects or teams, as well as a proven track record of deploying machine learning solutions in production environments, is highly valued.

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