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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Software Engineer salary lies between USD 70,636 and USD 150,000 in the United Kingdom. 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: Jan. 12, 2025

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

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

Engineering | 5622 jobs Python | 5457 jobs Machine Learning | 4719 jobs Computer Science | 4091 jobs Architecture | 3281 jobs AWS | 2706 jobs Java | 2663 jobs Testing | 2508 jobs Security | 2432 jobs Pipelines | 2090 jobs Kubernetes | 1997 jobs APIs | 1953 jobs SQL | 1713 jobs Azure | 1704 jobs Research | 1643 jobs Agile | 1624 jobs GCP | 1544 jobs Privacy | 1457 jobs Docker | 1435 jobs Distributed Systems | 1434 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Software 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 | 5417 jobs Equity / stock options | 3221 jobs Health care | 3080 jobs Startup environment | 1922 jobs Competitive pay | 1902 jobs Salary bonus | 1833 jobs Flex hours | 1735 jobs Medical leave | 1650 jobs Flex vacation | 1584 jobs Insurance | 1413 jobs Parental leave | 1365 jobs Team events | 1163 jobs 401(k) matching | 999 jobs Wellness | 738 jobs Relocation support | 457 jobs Fertility benefits | 404 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 357 jobs Home office stipend | 335 jobs Transparency | 332 jobs Flexible spending account | 309 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United Kingdom, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Software Engineer 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 or startups. 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, is more common in larger tech firms or startups and can be a significant part of the compensation, especially if the company is performing well.

The composition can vary by region, with London generally offering higher salaries due to the cost of living and concentration of tech companies. Industry also plays a role; for instance, finance and tech sectors tend to offer higher bonuses compared to academia or public sector roles. Company size can influence the availability of stock options, with larger companies more likely to offer them as part of the compensation package.

Increasing Salary

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

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning, which can command higher salaries.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a team lead or head of data science, which typically offer higher compensation.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML, and consider pursuing advanced certifications or courses to enhance your skills.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network within the industry, which can lead to opportunities for higher-paying roles.
• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during job offers or performance reviews.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level or Expert Software Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science, a strong educational background is often required. Most positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is increasingly common and can be advantageous, especially for roles that involve research or advanced algorithm development. A solid understanding of machine learning algorithms, data structures, and software engineering principles is essential.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile 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
• 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 for senior roles.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level or Expert Software Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in software engineering, with a significant portion of that time focused on AI/ML projects. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, and contributing to strategic decision-making is often required. Practical experience with machine learning frameworks, data analysis, and model deployment is crucial.

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