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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Machine Learning Software Engineer salary lies between USD 170,000 and USD 272,000 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: Nov. 10, 2024

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Software Engineer job listings are Machine Learning, Python and Engineering. 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 | 13 jobs Python | 12 jobs Engineering | 10 jobs Computer Science | 10 jobs ML models | 7 jobs PyTorch | 6 jobs Statistics | 6 jobs APIs | 6 jobs NLP | 5 jobs TensorFlow | 5 jobs Architecture | 5 jobs PhD | 5 jobs Mathematics | 5 jobs Computer Vision | 4 jobs Research | 4 jobs OOP | 4 jobs Privacy | 4 jobs Spark | 3 jobs SQL | 3 jobs GPU | 3 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Machine Learning Software Engineer job listings are Career development, Equity / stock options 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 | 9 jobs Equity / stock options | 5 jobs Health care | 4 jobs Startup environment | 4 jobs Competitive pay | 4 jobs Flex vacation | 3 jobs 401(k) matching | 2 jobs Flex hours | 2 jobs Salary bonus | 2 jobs Parental leave | 1 jobs Wellness | 1 jobs Medical leave | 1 jobs Insurance | 1 jobs Home office stipend | 1 jobs Fertility benefits | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary for a Senior-level or Expert Machine Learning Software Engineer 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 company-wide, usually make up about 10-20%. Additional remuneration may include stock options, especially in tech companies, which can vary significantly depending on the company's size and success. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks also contribute to the overall compensation package. Regional differences can affect these figures, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Seattle, and New York offering higher salaries compared to other regions. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and tech companies often offer more competitive packages than academia or non-profits.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 184,500, 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, such as a Machine Learning Architect or Engineering Manager.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML through courses, workshops, and conferences.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during job offers or performance reviews.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Machine Learning Software Engineer positions require at least a Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that involve research or developing new algorithms. Strong foundational knowledge in mathematics, statistics, and computer programming is essential. Some positions may also consider candidates with a Bachelor's degree if they have significant experience and a proven track record in the field.

Helpful Certifications

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

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

These certifications can validate your skills in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Machine Learning Software Engineer is expected to have 5-10 years of experience in software engineering, with a significant portion of that time focused on machine learning projects. Experience in designing and implementing machine learning models, working with large datasets, and deploying models into production is crucial. Experience in leading projects or teams can also be beneficial.

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