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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Software Engineer salary lies between USD 152,400 and USD 245,760 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: Jan. 12, 2025

Salary trend

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 States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Software 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 193,000, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area within 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 AI/ML team lead or director, 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.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about high-paying opportunities and negotiate better offers.
• Consulting or Freelancing: Explore consulting or freelance opportunities, which can offer higher hourly rates and flexibility.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles that involve research or advanced algorithm development. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of complex concepts and demonstrate a commitment to the field.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate 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 potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a senior-level position in AI/ML/Data Science requires 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 significant AI/ML initiatives is often expected. Additionally, a proven track record of deploying machine learning models in production and working with large datasets is crucial.

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