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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Scientist salary lies between USD 157,250 and USD 222,000 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 Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Scientist job listings are Machine Learning, Python and Computer Science. 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 | 115 jobs Python | 105 jobs Computer Science | 97 jobs Engineering | 87 jobs Research | 80 jobs Statistics | 79 jobs PyTorch | 72 jobs Deep Learning | 69 jobs ML models | 68 jobs TensorFlow | 64 jobs PhD | 59 jobs Mathematics | 58 jobs SQL | 50 jobs Scikit-learn | 45 jobs NLP | 41 jobs Testing | 39 jobs Architecture | 38 jobs R | 37 jobs Pipelines | 36 jobs AWS | 34 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Scientist job listings are Career development, Health care and Startup environment. 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 | 99 jobs Health care | 52 jobs Startup environment | 47 jobs Equity / stock options | 40 jobs Flex hours | 38 jobs Salary bonus | 35 jobs Parental leave | 33 jobs Conferences | 33 jobs Flex vacation | 32 jobs Competitive pay | 30 jobs Wellness | 29 jobs Team events | 22 jobs Insurance | 22 jobs Medical leave | 18 jobs Gear | 16 jobs Home office stipend | 13 jobs 401(k) matching | 12 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 7 jobs Yoga | 5 jobs Flexible spending account | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Machine Learning Scientist in the United States typically comprises several components. The fixed base salary is the largest portion, often accounting for 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company profits, usually make up about 10-20%. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies, which can significantly increase total earnings. The composition can vary depending on the region, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley offering higher base salaries and more substantial stock options. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and healthcare sectors might offer higher bonuses. Company size can influence the package, with larger companies often providing more comprehensive benefits and stock options.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 170,500, 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 are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into roles that involve leading teams or projects, as these positions often come with higher pay.
• Networking: Engage with industry professionals through conferences, workshops, and online platforms to learn about higher-paying opportunities.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI/ML and acquire new skills that are in demand.
• Negotiation: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher pay during job offers or performance reviews.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Machine Learning Scientist positions require at least a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or Mathematics. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve research and development of new algorithms. The educational background should include a strong foundation in machine learning, data analysis, and programming.

Helpful Certificates

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

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

These certifications demonstrate proficiency in specific tools and platforms, which can be advantageous in job applications.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Machine Learning Scientist is expected to have 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 is also highly valued, as it indicates the ability to manage complex tasks and collaborate effectively.

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