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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Research Scientist salary lies between USD 145,900 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 Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Research Scientist job listings are Research, Machine Learning and Python. 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 | 278 jobs Machine Learning | 235 jobs Python | 203 jobs PhD | 180 jobs Computer Science | 162 jobs Engineering | 139 jobs Deep Learning | 135 jobs NLP | 106 jobs LLMs | 105 jobs PyTorch | 101 jobs Computer Vision | 79 jobs TensorFlow | 78 jobs Architecture | 76 jobs Mathematics | 76 jobs R | 75 jobs Testing | 67 jobs Industrial | 57 jobs Java | 57 jobs Reinforcement Learning | 56 jobs Statistics | 55 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Research Scientist job listings are Career development, Flex hours 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 | 192 jobs Flex hours | 125 jobs Health care | 110 jobs Equity / stock options | 87 jobs Conferences | 86 jobs Competitive pay | 73 jobs Parental leave | 65 jobs 401(k) matching | 62 jobs Flex vacation | 61 jobs Team events | 53 jobs Startup environment | 51 jobs Insurance | 47 jobs Wellness | 46 jobs Medical leave | 42 jobs Salary bonus | 40 jobs Fertility benefits | 16 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 14 jobs Home office stipend | 13 jobs Flexible spending account | 12 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 12 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Research Scientist 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 is often the largest component, accounting for approximately 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, ranging from 10-20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can be a significant part of the package, particularly in startups or large tech firms, and may account for 10-20% or more of the total compensation. The exact composition can vary based on the region, with tech hubs like Silicon Valley offering higher equity components, and the industry, with finance and healthcare often providing higher bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level or Expert Research Scientist 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 leading a research team or becoming a director of AI/ML research.
• Publications and Patents: Increase your visibility and credibility in the field by publishing research papers in top-tier journals or conferences and filing patents.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network by attending conferences, joining professional organizations, and collaborating with other experts in the field.
• Negotiation: Leverage offers from other companies to negotiate a higher salary with your current employer.

Educational Requirements

The most common educational requirement for a Senior-level or Expert Research Scientist in AI/ML/Data Science is a Ph.D. in a related field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or Electrical Engineering. A strong academic background with a focus on machine learning, data science, or artificial intelligence is essential. In some cases, a Master's degree with extensive experience and a proven track record of research and innovation may also be acceptable.

Helpful Certificates

While not always required, certain certificates can be beneficial in demonstrating expertise and commitment to the field. These 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, especially if you are transitioning from a different field or looking to specialize further.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level or Expert Research Scientist position requires at least 5-10 years of experience in AI/ML or data science. This experience should include a strong track record of conducting independent research, publishing in reputable journals or conferences, and contributing to significant projects or innovations in the field. Experience in leading research teams or projects is also highly valued.

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