Salary for Senior-level / Expert Research Analyst in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Research Analyst salary lies between USD 95,000 and USD 175,000 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 Research Analyst roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Research Analyst job listings are Research, Python and Statistics. 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:

Research | 141 jobs Python | 109 jobs Statistics | 78 jobs R | 69 jobs SQL | 63 jobs Excel | 61 jobs Engineering | 59 jobs Security | 57 jobs Data analysis | 53 jobs Mathematics | 42 jobs Economics | 41 jobs Data Analytics | 35 jobs Finance | 33 jobs Data visualization | 31 jobs Computer Science | 31 jobs Power BI | 30 jobs SAS | 29 jobs Tableau | 27 jobs Machine Learning | 22 jobs PhD | 21 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Research Analyst roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Research Analyst job listings are Career development, Health care and Competitive pay. 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 | 86 jobs Health care | 83 jobs Competitive pay | 52 jobs Startup environment | 42 jobs Insurance | 42 jobs Team events | 41 jobs Flex hours | 38 jobs Wellness | 37 jobs Equity / stock options | 35 jobs Flex vacation | 28 jobs Medical leave | 28 jobs Parental leave | 21 jobs Salary bonus | 16 jobs 401(k) matching | 14 jobs Conferences | 9 jobs Transparency | 7 jobs Relocation support | 6 jobs Home office stipend | 5 jobs Travel | 4 jobs Fitness / gym | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level/Expert Research Analyst in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 60% to 80%. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s performance and individual achievements, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total compensation. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can be a significant part of the package in larger tech firms or startups, potentially making up 10% to 20% of the total compensation. The exact composition can vary based on the region, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley offering higher equity components, and industry, with finance and healthcare often providing higher bonuses. Company size also plays a role, with larger companies typically offering more structured bonus and equity packages.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML that is in high demand, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Director of Data Science or Chief Data Officer, which typically offer higher compensation.
• 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 pay during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level/Expert Research Analyst positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a master’s degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or Mathematics. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles focused on research and development. These advanced degrees provide a strong foundation in theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for tackling complex problems in AI/ML.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
• 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 commonly used in the industry.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Research Analyst role requires at least 5 to 10 years of experience in AI/ML or related fields. This experience should include a proven track record of successful projects, publications, or contributions to significant AI/ML initiatives. Experience in leading teams or projects is also highly valued, as it demonstrates your ability to manage complex tasks and collaborate effectively.

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