Technical Lead Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Technical Lead salary lies between USD 158,000 and USD 272,000 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: Dec. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Technical Lead roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Technical Lead 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 | 235 jobs Engineering | 216 jobs Machine Learning | 200 jobs Computer Science | 173 jobs Architecture | 166 jobs SQL | 141 jobs AWS | 118 jobs Security | 115 jobs Pipelines | 110 jobs Azure | 104 jobs Testing | 92 jobs Research | 88 jobs Agile | 82 jobs ETL | 78 jobs Java | 78 jobs APIs | 70 jobs Generative AI | 65 jobs Data pipelines | 63 jobs DevOps | 61 jobs Spark | 60 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Technical Lead roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Technical Lead job listings are Career development, Health care and Equity / stock options. 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 | 218 jobs Health care | 107 jobs Equity / stock options | 85 jobs Salary bonus | 72 jobs Startup environment | 63 jobs Flex hours | 59 jobs Competitive pay | 56 jobs Team events | 55 jobs Insurance | 45 jobs Parental leave | 31 jobs Flex vacation | 31 jobs Conferences | 23 jobs Medical leave | 22 jobs 401(k) matching | 19 jobs Wellness | 16 jobs Relocation support | 10 jobs Transparency | 9 jobs Gear | 4 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 4 jobs Fitness / gym | 3 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Technical Lead in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary often constitutes the largest portion, ranging from 60% to 80% of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly, often between 10% to 20%, depending on individual and company performance. 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% to 20% of the total compensation.

Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like San Francisco or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and competitive job markets. Industry-wise, tech companies, financial services, and healthcare often offer higher compensation compared to academia or non-profit sectors. Company size can also influence salary composition, with larger companies typically offering more comprehensive benefits and stock options.

Increasing Salary Further

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 203,500, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Skills: Enhance your leadership and management skills to take on more significant responsibilities or transition into higher managerial roles.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML through courses, workshops, and conferences.
• Negotiation: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during job offers or performance reviews.

Educational Requirements

Most Technical Lead positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles involving complex problem-solving and research. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical methods, and data analysis techniques, which are crucial for leading technical teams.

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
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer

These certifications can validate your skills in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Technical Lead in AI/ML/Data Science is expected to have 5 to 10 years of experience in the field. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in leading projects, managing teams, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also crucial. Demonstrated success in deploying AI/ML solutions in real-world applications is highly valued.

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