AI/ML Salary & Compensation Guide 2024-2025
Compensation is a critical factor in career decisions. This comprehensive guide provides salary benchmarks across roles, experience levels, and geographies.
India AI/ML Salary Benchmarks
By Experience Level
| Role | Entry (0-2 yrs) | Mid (2-5 yrs) | Senior (5-8 yrs) | Lead/Manager (8+ yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ML Engineer | ₹8-12 LPA | ₹14-20 LPA | ₹22-30 LPA | ₹35-50 LPA |
| Data Scientist | ₹9-13 LPA | ₹15-21 LPA | ₹23-32 LPA | ₹37-52 LPA |
| Analytics Engineer | ₹8-11 LPA | ₹13-18 LPA | ₹20-27 LPA | ₹30-42 LPA |
| ML Ops Engineer | ₹9-13 LPA | ₹15-21 LPA | ₹24-32 LPA | ₹36-50 LPA |
| AI Research Scientist | ₹10-15 LPA | ₹18-26 LPA | ₹28-38 LPA | ₹42-60 LPA |
By Company Tier
Startups (Series A-B): ₹6-15 LPA + equity (2-5% for senior)
Mid-size Tech (₹100Cr-₹1000Cr revenue): ₹10-22 LPA + performance bonus
Big Tech (FAANG, Indian Tech Giants): ₹15-30+ LPA + bonus + stock options
MNCs (Goldman, J.P. Morgan, Cisco): ₹12-28 LPA + significant bonus
United States AI/ML Salary Benchmarks
By Experience Level (Annual)
| Role | Entry (0-2 yrs) | Mid (2-5 yrs) | Senior (5-8 yrs) | Lead/Manager (8+ yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ML Engineer | $90-110K | $120-160K | $160-220K | $220-350K |
| Data Scientist | $85-110K | $115-155K | $155-210K | $210-320K |
| ML Ops Engineer | $100-130K | $135-180K | $180-240K | $240-360K |
By Location (FAANG Company, Senior ML Engineer)
San Francisco/Bay Area: $200-280K base + $50-100K bonus + $200-400K stock
New York/Boston: $180-240K base + $40-80K bonus + $150-300K stock
Seattle/Austin: $170-230K base + $35-70K bonus + $120-280K stock
Smaller cities: $140-180K base + similar stock/bonus structure
Global Salary Comparison (Senior ML Engineer)
| Country | Base Salary | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|
| USA (San Francisco) | $180-220K | $400-600K |
| USA (Austin/Seattle) | $160-190K | $300-450K |
| UK (London) | $120-160K | $200-300K |
| Canada (Toronto) | $120-150K | $180-280K |
| India (Bangalore) | ₹25-35 LPA | ₹28-40 LPA |
Total Compensation Breakdown
Typical US FAANG Package (Senior ML Engineer)
Base Salary: 40-50% of total
Annual Bonus: 15-25% of base
Stock Options/RSU: 40-50% of total (vested over 4 years)
Benefits: 401(k), health insurance, commuter benefits
Example: $200K base + $60K bonus + $240K stock (4-year) = $500K total comp
Factors Affecting Salary
Positively Impact Salary
- Experience: Each year increases salary 10-15%
- Skills: Specialized expertise commands 20-30% premium
- Publications: Research papers increase salary 10-15%
- Previous Company: Ex-FAANG candidates get 15-30% higher offers
- Negotiation Skills: Can increase offer by 15-25%
- Switching Companies: Job changes typically increase salary 20-40%
Salary Negotiation Strategy
Before Negotiating
- Research market rates (Levels.fyi, Blind, Glassdoor)
- Understand total package, not just base
- Know your non-negotiables
- Prepare your pitch
Negotiation Tactics
Get offer in writing first – Never negotiate before written offer
Don’t disclose previous salary – Set your range first
Provide a range, not a number – Say “₹18-22 LPA” instead of “₹20 LPA”
Emphasize value – What you’ll contribute, not what you need
Ask for everything – Base, bonus, stock, relocation, flexibility
5-Year Career Trajectory (India)
Year 1 (Entry Level): ₹10 LPA
Year 2-3 (Specialist): ₹15-18 LPA (50% growth)
Year 4-5 (Senior): ₹22-28 LPA (50% growth)
Year 5+ (Lead/Manager): ₹35-45+ LPA (60% growth)
Remote Work Impact on Salary
- Full Remote: 10-20% salary cut typical but better work-life balance
- Remote within country: 5-10% cut for living in non-metro areas
- International remote: Company location pays (favorable for India)
- Hybrid: Near full salary, better flexibility
Conclusion
AI/ML salaries are highly variable based on experience, skills, location, and company. Use this guide as reference, but always research your specific market. Negotiate thoughtfully and remember that career growth and impact matter alongside compensation.
The highest compensation comes from rare combinations: deep expertise + working for high-growth companies + strong negotiation skills + proven impact. Invest in continuous learning and position yourself as someone who creates significant value.