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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Engineer salary lies between USD 159,550 and USD 255,800 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: Nov. 10, 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 | 3308 jobs Python | 2582 jobs Engineering | 2454 jobs Computer Science | 2012 jobs ML models | 1820 jobs PyTorch | 1752 jobs TensorFlow | 1617 jobs Deep Learning | 1408 jobs Pipelines | 1355 jobs Research | 1328 jobs AWS | 1234 jobs LLMs | 1155 jobs NLP | 1145 jobs Architecture | 1076 jobs Statistics | 1038 jobs Testing | 934 jobs Spark | 838 jobs GCP | 767 jobs SQL | 754 jobs PhD | 750 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 | 2960 jobs Health care | 1753 jobs Equity / stock options | 1500 jobs Flex vacation | 1088 jobs Flex hours | 1058 jobs Salary bonus | 1031 jobs Parental leave | 891 jobs Startup environment | 880 jobs Competitive pay | 879 jobs Medical leave | 795 jobs Insurance | 790 jobs Team events | 577 jobs 401(k) matching | 561 jobs Conferences | 441 jobs Flexible spending account | 395 jobs Wellness | 378 jobs Home office stipend | 348 jobs Transparency | 187 jobs Relocation support | 156 jobs Gear | 117 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.

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