Salary for Senior-level / Expert Machine Learning Scientist in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Scientist salary lies between USD 130,100 and USD 204,600 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 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 | 269 jobs Python | 220 jobs Engineering | 184 jobs Computer Science | 179 jobs Research | 171 jobs Statistics | 171 jobs Deep Learning | 160 jobs PyTorch | 160 jobs ML models | 158 jobs PhD | 141 jobs TensorFlow | 134 jobs SQL | 116 jobs Mathematics | 109 jobs LLMs | 94 jobs NLP | 83 jobs Scikit-learn | 80 jobs Testing | 78 jobs Architecture | 76 jobs Pipelines | 66 jobs Security | 64 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 Wellness. 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 | 245 jobs Health care | 165 jobs Wellness | 103 jobs Flex hours | 96 jobs Equity / stock options | 83 jobs Competitive pay | 82 jobs Insurance | 80 jobs Salary bonus | 77 jobs Parental leave | 66 jobs Conferences | 65 jobs Startup environment | 62 jobs Flex vacation | 60 jobs Team events | 53 jobs Medical leave | 41 jobs 401(k) matching | 28 jobs Home office stipend | 25 jobs Gear | 18 jobs Travel | 14 jobs Fitness / gym | 12 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 12 jobs

Salary Composition for Senior-Level Machine Learning Scientist Roles

In the United States, the salary for a Senior-level or Expert Machine Learning Scientist 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, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City might offer higher base salaries and more substantial stock options compared to other regions. In contrast, smaller companies or startups might offer lower base salaries but compensate with equity or larger bonuses.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Senior-Level Position

To increase your salary beyond the median for a Senior-level Machine Learning Scientist, 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.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Machine Learning Team Lead or Director of AI, which typically offer higher compensation.
• Consulting or Freelancing: Leverage your expertise to take on consulting roles or freelance projects, which can provide additional income streams.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML to remain competitive and justify salary increases.
• Networking and Industry Engagement: Engage with industry events, conferences, and professional networks to increase visibility and open up higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements for Senior-Level Machine Learning Scientists

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 or technologies. The educational background should include a strong foundation in machine learning, data analysis, and programming.

Helpful Certifications for Machine Learning Scientists

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate expertise. 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.

Experience Required for Senior-Level Roles

Typically, a Senior-level Machine Learning Scientist 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 or teams, as well as a proven track record of successful implementations, is highly valued. Additionally, experience in a specific industry, such as finance, healthcare, or technology, can be advantageous.

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