Salary for Senior-level / Expert Software Development Engineer during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Software Development Engineer salary lies between USD 130,295 and USD 248,400 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

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Software Development Engineer job listings are Python, 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:

Python | 217 jobs Engineering | 213 jobs Machine Learning | 193 jobs Computer Science | 178 jobs Java | 138 jobs Testing | 136 jobs Architecture | 130 jobs Agile | 102 jobs AWS | 99 jobs Security | 92 jobs APIs | 84 jobs Research | 83 jobs Azure | 82 jobs Kubernetes | 80 jobs Docker | 78 jobs SQL | 72 jobs JavaScript | 63 jobs CI/CD | 62 jobs Distributed Systems | 61 jobs Pipelines | 60 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Software Development 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 228 jobs Equity / stock options | 124 jobs Health care | 108 jobs Startup environment | 86 jobs Medical leave | 81 jobs Competitive pay | 69 jobs Insurance | 69 jobs Salary bonus | 63 jobs Team events | 61 jobs Flex hours | 55 jobs Parental leave | 44 jobs Flex vacation | 42 jobs 401(k) matching | 24 jobs Flexible spending account | 20 jobs Transparency | 17 jobs Relocation support | 16 jobs Conferences | 15 jobs Signing bonus | 12 jobs Gear | 10 jobs Wellness | 9 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Software Development 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 exact 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

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

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML that is in high demand but has a limited supply of experts.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into roles that involve leading teams or projects, such as a Technical Lead or Engineering Manager.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML, which can make you more valuable to your employer.
• 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 performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve complex problem-solving and research. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of machine learning algorithms, data analysis, and statistical modeling, which are crucial for this field.

Helpful Certifications

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

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Data Science Council of America (DASCA) Senior Data Scientist (SDS) Certification

These certifications can validate your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate to employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a senior-level position in AI/ML/Data Science requires at least 5-10 years of experience in software development, with a significant portion of that time focused on AI/ML projects. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, and a proven track record of successful AI/ML implementations are often expected. Familiarity with various programming languages, frameworks, and tools used in AI/ML is also crucial.

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