Salary for Senior-level / Expert Research Engineer in United States during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Research Engineer salary lies between USD 150,000 and USD 240,000 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. 24, 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 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Research | 213 jobs Engineering | 170 jobs Machine Learning | 134 jobs Python | 132 jobs Computer Science | 108 jobs PhD | 74 jobs Deep Learning | 68 jobs PyTorch | 65 jobs TensorFlow | 56 jobs Testing | 50 jobs LLMs | 41 jobs Architecture | 39 jobs R | 38 jobs Statistics | 37 jobs NLP | 36 jobs Security | 35 jobs Open Source | 34 jobs Mathematics | 34 jobs Reinforcement Learning | 34 jobs Pipelines | 32 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 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 138 jobs Health care | 79 jobs Equity / stock options | 58 jobs Flex hours | 57 jobs Salary bonus | 47 jobs Startup environment | 44 jobs Flex vacation | 43 jobs Competitive pay | 41 jobs Insurance | 36 jobs Parental leave | 32 jobs Conferences | 30 jobs Medical leave | 29 jobs Team events | 28 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 25 jobs Wellness | 22 jobs Relocation support | 17 jobs 401(k) matching | 13 jobs Fitness / gym | 10 jobs Transparency | 10 jobs Fertility benefits | 10 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary for a Senior-level or 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 about 10-20%. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies, which can vary significantly based on the company's size and success. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and other perks also add value to the overall compensation package. The exact composition can vary depending on the region, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley offering higher base salaries and more lucrative stock options compared to other areas. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and tech sectors often offer higher bonuses compared to academia or non-profits.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a Senior-level 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 AI ethics.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into managerial or leadership roles, such as a Director of AI or Chief Data Scientist, which typically offer higher salaries.
• 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.
• Consulting: Consider offering consulting services or starting a side business to leverage your expertise for additional income.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Research Engineer 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 Electrical Engineering. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles focused on research and development. The educational background should include a strong foundation in mathematics, programming, and machine learning algorithms.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some valuable certifications include:

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

These certifications can help validate your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate for senior roles.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Research Engineer position requires at least 5-10 years of experience in AI/ML or related fields. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, and contributing to research publications can also be beneficial.

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