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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Software Development Engineer salary lies between USD 137,600 and USD 248,400 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. 10, 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 | 185 jobs Engineering | 181 jobs Machine Learning | 169 jobs Computer Science | 148 jobs Testing | 114 jobs Architecture | 112 jobs Java | 112 jobs AWS | 78 jobs Agile | 76 jobs Security | 75 jobs APIs | 73 jobs Research | 72 jobs Azure | 62 jobs Kubernetes | 59 jobs SQL | 56 jobs Docker | 56 jobs Pipelines | 54 jobs JavaScript | 52 jobs CI/CD | 50 jobs Distributed Systems | 48 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 | 189 jobs Equity / stock options | 102 jobs Health care | 87 jobs Startup environment | 70 jobs Medical leave | 68 jobs Insurance | 58 jobs Competitive pay | 56 jobs Salary bonus | 55 jobs Team events | 54 jobs Flex hours | 49 jobs Parental leave | 37 jobs Flex vacation | 37 jobs 401(k) matching | 23 jobs Flexible spending account | 20 jobs Relocation support | 15 jobs Transparency | 14 jobs Signing bonus | 12 jobs Conferences | 12 jobs Gear | 10 jobs Home office stipend | 8 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Software Development Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a combination of base salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity. The base salary is often the largest component, accounting for approximately 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or company-wide, usually make up about 10-20%. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or equity, can vary significantly depending on the company size and industry. For instance, tech giants and startups in Silicon Valley might offer substantial equity packages, while companies in other regions or industries might focus more on cash bonuses.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 184,650, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as AI/ML team lead or director, 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: Enhance your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during job offers or performance reviews.

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 high-level positions.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise in AI/ML:

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
• 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 and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate to potential 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 collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued. Demonstrated success in deploying machine learning models in production environments and a strong portfolio of past projects can further bolster your candidacy.

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