Salary for Senior-level / Expert Machine Learning Engineer in United States during 2024
💰 The median Salary for Senior-level / Expert Machine Learning Engineer in United States during 2024 is USD 204,000
✏️ This salary info is based on 2636 individual salaries reported during 2024
Salary details
The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Engineer salary lies between USD 161,200 and USD 259,000 in the United States. 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.
- Job title
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Experience
- Senior-level / Expert
- Region
- United States
- Salary year
- 2024
- Sample size
- 2636
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- Top 25%
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- Median
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- Bottom 25%
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Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.
Last updated: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 jobsTop 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 jobsSalary Composition for Senior-Level Machine Learning Engineers
The salary for a Senior-Level or Expert Machine Learning Engineer in the United States 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 is often the largest portion, accounting for approximately 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's performance and individual contributions, usually ranging from 10-20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can be a significant part of the package, particularly in startups or large tech firms, and may account for 10-30% of the total compensation.
Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like San Francisco or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job markets. Industry-wise, sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology often offer higher compensation 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.
Steps to Increase Salary from a Senior-Level Position
To increase your salary further from a senior-level position, consider the following strategies:
- Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand and can command higher salaries.
- Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Machine Learning Team Lead or Director of AI, which often come with higher pay.
- Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML. Pursuing advanced certifications or courses can enhance your skill set and make you more valuable.
- Networking and Industry Engagement: Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to network with industry leaders and peers. This can open up opportunities for higher-paying roles.
- Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during performance reviews or when switching jobs.
Educational Requirements for Senior-Level Machine Learning Engineers
Most senior-level machine learning positions require at least a master's degree in a related 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 Certifications for Machine Learning Engineers
While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credibility and demonstrate expertise in specific areas. 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 help validate your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate for senior-level positions.
Experience Required for Senior-Level Roles
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, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued. A proven track record of successful projects and contributions to the field can significantly bolster your candidacy for senior roles.
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