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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Engineer salary lies between USD 159,000 and USD 253,500 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. 22, 2024

Salary trend

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Engineer 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 | 3822 jobs Python | 2864 jobs Engineering | 2782 jobs Computer Science | 2221 jobs ML models | 2068 jobs PyTorch | 1920 jobs TensorFlow | 1769 jobs Deep Learning | 1543 jobs Pipelines | 1543 jobs Research | 1518 jobs AWS | 1364 jobs LLMs | 1338 jobs NLP | 1315 jobs Architecture | 1192 jobs Statistics | 1167 jobs Testing | 1041 jobs Spark | 921 jobs GCP | 852 jobs SQL | 839 jobs PhD | 833 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning 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 | 3381 jobs Health care | 1893 jobs Equity / stock options | 1632 jobs Flex vacation | 1132 jobs Flex hours | 1117 jobs Salary bonus | 1096 jobs Startup environment | 974 jobs Parental leave | 947 jobs Competitive pay | 939 jobs Insurance | 856 jobs Medical leave | 844 jobs Team events | 625 jobs 401(k) matching | 587 jobs Conferences | 465 jobs Wellness | 412 jobs Flexible spending account | 402 jobs Home office stipend | 359 jobs Transparency | 196 jobs Relocation support | 182 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 125 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Machine Learning Engineer typically comprises several components: 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 largest portion, ranging from 60% to 80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual contributions, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can be a significant part of the package, particularly in startups or large tech firms, and may range from 10% to 30% of 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 salaries compared to academia or non-profit organizations. Company size can also influence salary composition, with larger companies typically offering more comprehensive benefits and stock options.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 200,000, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Machine Learning Team Lead or Director of AI, which often come with higher compensation.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML through courses, workshops, and conferences, demonstrating your commitment to growth and innovation.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about high-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

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 and development of new algorithms or technologies. The educational background should include a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and computer programming.

Helpful Certificates

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

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

These certifications can validate your skills in specific platforms or methodologies and may give you an edge in competitive job markets.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Machine Learning Engineer is expected to have 5 to 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, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued.

Related salaries

Want to contribute?