Salary for Senior-level / Expert Machine Learning Researcher in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Researcher salary lies between USD 93,300 and USD 190,000 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.

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: Dec. 22, 2024

Salary trend

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Researcher job listings are Machine Learning, Research and Python. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Machine Learning | 7 jobs Research | 7 jobs Python | 6 jobs NLP | 6 jobs Computer Science | 6 jobs Deep Learning | 5 jobs Mathematics | 5 jobs PyTorch | 4 jobs Engineering | 4 jobs Security | 4 jobs Pipelines | 4 jobs Computer Vision | 3 jobs TensorFlow | 3 jobs AWS | 3 jobs Architecture | 3 jobs GCP | 3 jobs PhD | 3 jobs R&D | 3 jobs Statistics | 3 jobs Physics | 3 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Researcher job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Health care. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 7 jobs Flex hours | 3 jobs Health care | 3 jobs Equity / stock options | 2 jobs Parental leave | 2 jobs Flex vacation | 2 jobs Wellness | 2 jobs Competitive pay | 2 jobs Conferences | 2 jobs Medical leave | 2 jobs 401(k) matching | 1 jobs Travel | 1 jobs Startup environment | 1 jobs Transparency | 1 jobs Team events | 1 jobs Relocation support | 1 jobs Insurance | 1 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary for a Senior-level or Expert Machine Learning Researcher 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 largest part 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 larger tech companies or startups, where equity can be a significant part of the compensation. The composition can also vary by region, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley offering higher base salaries and more substantial equity packages compared to other regions. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and healthcare sectors might offer higher bonuses compared to academia or smaller tech firms.

Increasing Salary

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

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of machine learning that is in high demand, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or reinforcement learning.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a team lead or director of machine learning, which often come with higher pay.
• Consulting: Offer consulting services on the side, leveraging your expertise to advise companies on AI/ML strategies.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML and acquire new skills that are emerging in the field.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and negotiate better offers.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Machine Learning Researcher 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 focused on research and development. The educational background should include a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and computer science, with coursework or research experience in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Helpful Certificates

While not always required, certain certificates can enhance your profile and demonstrate your commitment to the field. 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 and tools, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Machine Learning Researcher 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, publishing research papers, or contributing to open-source projects can also be beneficial. Employers look for a proven track record of solving complex problems using machine learning techniques.

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