How Much Do AI Engineers Make? Salary Guide 2024 According to the Global Artificial Intelligence Study of PricewaterhouseCoopers, AI or artificial intelligence could add up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. With most organizations turning towards AI adoption, the demand for trained experts has increased significantly in the AI field. An artificial intelligence engineer is one of the in-demand jobs offering a lucrative career path. Want to know more about how pursuing a career as an AI engineer can be rewarding? Here, you will learn how much AI engineers can earn and what factors impact their salary. Who are AI Engineers and What are their Roles? AI engineers use their technical skills to make machines think like the human brain. They use deep learning, machine learning (ML), and data science to develop, test, and deploy artificial intelligence models. They work for organizations helping them with the improvement of their products, operations, software, and delivery. Some of the main roles and responsibilities of AI engineers include – • • • • • • •
Working with data scientists, programmers, and other stakeholders to convert their dataoriented strategies into production-level AI applications. Designing and directing AI development procedures and the whole infrastructure of a project. Staying updated on the latest industry trends to improve current models and systems. Performing statistical analysis and understanding outcomes to guide the decision-making process of a company. Developing AI models and infrastructure for data transformation. Converting ML models into relevant APIs that other applications can easily communicate with. Describing the benefits of AI models to different people within the company.
How Much an AI Engineer Can Earn? There is an estimated job growth of 23% for AI engineers between 2022-2032 (source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics). The average salary for AI engineers in the US is approximately USD 136,620 yearly, as reported by the US BLS. This figure is constant with Glassdoor reporting AI engineer’s average salary to be USD 134,132 annually in the US. Remember that these figures are calculated based on self-reported salaries from professionals. So, they may not ensure the 100% accuracy of the whole population of AI engineers. The profile of an AI engineer is considered more rewarding than the mean annual salary across all jobs in the United States, which is USD 61,900 yearly. Key Factors Influencing Salaries of AI Engineers Several factors can impact how much an AI engineer can earn. Let’s take a closer look at some of the largest contributing factors. 1. Location The location where AI engineers work also impacts how much they can earn. Generally, working in companies located in big cities is associated with a higher salary. This table shows salaries for AI engineers based in large cities in the United States.
US Cities Boston Chicago Houston Los Angeles New York San Francisco Washington
Annual Base Salaries $106,176 $102,934 $105,172 $113,298 $123,403 $136,287 $105,338 Source: Glassdoor
Before accepting any job offer, take into account the living cost when examining the offered salary. The same salary package can have varying levels of purchasing power in other cities. 2. Experience The more experience you have as an AI engineer, the more skills and knowledge you have. As a result, you can have more chances to get a well-paid job. In this table, you’ll find the average salary of AI engineers based on experience level. Experience 2 to 4 years (AI Engineer/Senior AI Engineer) 5 to 7 years (Lead AI Engineer) More than 8 years (Principal ML Engineer) Over 8 years (Vice President of ML) Source: Glassdoor
Salary $106,894 $128,396 $145,503 $172,715
3. Industry The salary of AI engineers also varies based on the sector they work in. Generally, salary ranges show the respective industries. For example, finance and tech companies are likely to pay well across the board. According to Glassdoor, IT, Government and Public Administration, and Media and Communication are the top industries paying well to AI engineers. How Can You Increase Your AI Engineer Salary? No matter whether you are just looking for a career as an AI engineer or have been working for some years, implementing the following tips can help you improve your earning potential. -
Learn the latest programming languages and tools to improve your chances of impressing your employer in the technical round. Getting a master’s degree can help you negotiate a better salary as you will have solid AI engineer skills and credentials. Increase your technical skills and expand your understanding of algorithms and modeling techniques. According to Forbes, around 70% of managers expect negotiation while making a job offer but don’t state the flexibility of the offer. So, choose to negotiate. Participate in conferences and industry events to connect with other experts in the AI domain. This can help you find job profiles that have not been mentioned in any job description. Consider earning AI engineer certification to showcase your proficiency and dedication to constant learning of AI concepts. The industry-recognized certification course helps cover the knowledge gap in the AI industry.
Final Thoughts Expansion in massive innovations in LLMs (large language models) over recent years has resulted in the higher importance of artificial intelligence in the industrial landscape. Many organizations are using LLMs for their AI products. This leads to a rising demand for AI engineers with essential qualifications, experience, certification, and specialized skills. So, get started with online AI tutorials or certification courses to position yourself as a capable engineer in the AI field.
