Salary for Senior-level / Expert Research Engineer during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Research Engineer salary lies between USD 146,994 and USD 251,000 globally. 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.

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 Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Research Engineer job listings are Research, Engineering and Machine Learning. 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 | 581 jobs Engineering | 446 jobs Machine Learning | 445 jobs Python | 426 jobs Computer Science | 350 jobs PyTorch | 241 jobs Deep Learning | 204 jobs Architecture | 196 jobs LLMs | 195 jobs PhD | 191 jobs TensorFlow | 181 jobs NLP | 155 jobs ML models | 143 jobs Testing | 135 jobs Pipelines | 129 jobs R | 117 jobs Security | 114 jobs Privacy | 114 jobs Generative AI | 108 jobs Mathematics | 107 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Research Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Equity / stock options. 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 | 467 jobs Health care | 239 jobs Equity / stock options | 223 jobs Flex hours | 134 jobs Startup environment | 134 jobs Salary bonus | 130 jobs Flex vacation | 118 jobs Conferences | 113 jobs Competitive pay | 103 jobs Insurance | 97 jobs Parental leave | 94 jobs Medical leave | 91 jobs Team events | 76 jobs 401(k) matching | 66 jobs Relocation support | 66 jobs Wellness | 38 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 34 jobs Lunch / meals | 24 jobs Home office stipend | 23 jobs Flexible spending account | 23 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level/Expert Research Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science 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 10-20%. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies, and other benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. The composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech giants in Silicon Valley might offer substantial stock options, while companies in other regions might focus more on cash bonuses.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 195,360, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize in Niche Areas: Developing expertise in emerging fields like quantum computing, AI ethics, or advanced neural networks can make you more valuable.
• Leadership Roles: Transitioning into managerial or leadership positions can significantly boost your earning potential.
• Consulting and Freelancing: Offering your expertise as a consultant or freelancer can provide additional income streams.
• Continuous Learning: Staying updated with the latest technologies and methodologies can make you indispensable to your employer.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a master's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Data Science, or Statistics. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles focused on research and development. These advanced degrees provide a deep understanding of complex algorithms, data structures, and statistical models, which are crucial for high-level problem-solving and innovation.

Helpful Certifications

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

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications demonstrate your commitment to the field and your proficiency with specific tools and platforms.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Research Engineer position requires 5-10 years of experience in AI/ML or Data Science. 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 your ability to manage complex tasks and collaborate effectively.

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