Top 10 Highest Paying Artificial Intelligence (AI) Jobs 2024

Mark Talmage-Rostron
April 11, 2024 · 8 min read

Five years ago, artificial intelligence was just a futuristic term that people feared as naysayers were predicting large scale job losses and machines taking over the world.

Fast forward five years and with the recent launch of ChatGPT, businesses are totally beginning to embrace the numerous benefits of AI, whilst at the same time job candidates are discovering a whole new world of work opportunities.

AI is changing the way we live and work and as a result, the industry offers a number of amazingly different career paths and highest paying jobs with a job title like ai engineer, big data analyst, data science analyst, or data analyst, and business intelligence developer, and there's no better time than now to get started.

Discover the top 10 best paying artificial intelligence jobs in the field of artificial intelligence in 2024 and thereafter.

Top 10 Highest Paying Artificial Intelligence Jobs & Best Salaries 2024

1. Machine Learning Engineer 

A machine learning engineer has experience in machine learning and creates machine learning algorithms and models that can analyze large datasets to make predictions. Machine learning jobs involve the designing, creating, and developing and implementing machine learning models are the mix of tasks that most machine learning engineers will be asked to undertake. To create and implement sophisticated algorithms and systems, machine learning engineers collaborate closely with software engineers and data scientists.

The average annual salary of a machine learning engineer in the US is $​​109,143.  

2. AI Engineer

AI engineers play a crucial role in developing and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Their responsibilities include, developing AI models and algorithms, building AI systems, optimizing AI performance, data preprocessing and cleaning, collaborating with data scientists and software engineers, and finally, staying on top of AI advancements.

To become an AI engineer, you need a combination of technical skills, knowledge in mathematics and statistics, and proficiency in programming languages

The average annual salary of an AI engineer in the US is $160,757.

Machine learning engineer - best paying ai jobs

3. Data Scientist

Data scientists, or big data engineers, obviously have experience in data science, and employ statistical and machine learning techniques to analyze huge data sets, learn from data, and uses machine learning algorithms to glean insights from that unstructured data. To find trends and patterns in data, they collaborate closely with business executives before using this knowledge to make data-driven decisions.

The average annual salary of a data scientist in the US is $65,674.

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4. Computer Vision Engineer

To help computers comprehend and interpret visual data, computer vision engineers combine ai-powered machine learning and computer vision approaches. To create systems that can detect and categorize photographs, movies, and other visual data, they collaborate closely with other engineers. Computer Vision Engineers are one of the highest paying jobs in ai. 

The average annual salary of a computer vision engineer in the US is $168,803.

5. Natural Language Processing Engineer

Natural language processing engineers specialize in natural language processing (NLP) and employ tools and platforms, like speech recognition, to employ machine learning and NLP methods to help computers comprehend and interpret human discourse. In their engineer positions, NLP engineers can take unstructured speech and text and turn it into something that a computer can understand. They collaborate closely with other engineers to create systems that can comprehend human voice and text and react accordingly.

The average annual salary of a computer vision engineer in the US is $86,193.

Robotics engineer - high paying ai career

6. Deep Learning Engineer

There are a number of exciting jobs in the AI field and one such vocation is a deep learning engineer. Deep learning engineers utilize various methods to give computers algorithms that enable computers with the ability to learn from massive amounts of data. To develop and execute sophisticated neural networks and other deep learning algorithms, deep learning engineers collaborate closely with data scientists and other technologists. 

The average annual salary of a deep learning engineer in the US is $141,435.

7. AI Research Scientist

An AI Research Scientist asks new and creative questions that can be answered by AI. They work on cutting-edge research projects and develop new AI technologies that businesses can use to improve their processes. It is the job of an AI Research Scientist to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI. Before a company invests millions into developing a new tool or product, it is the research scientists who prove their viability. Demand for artificial intelligence research scientists are ever increasing.

The average annual salary of an AI research scientist in the US is $115,443.

8. Business Development Manager

Of all of the jobs in artificial intelligence, the AI Business development managers are some of the highest paid salary in 2024 and they are generally in charge of finding new business possibilities and formulating plans for expanding the company. In order to locate new markets and create alliances, they collaborate closely with other managers and executives.

The average annual salary of an AI business development manager in the US is $196,491.

9. AI Product Manager

AI Product Manager jobs pay well because the person is expected to lead and guide a team to build an AI-based solution. To find new opportunities and establish strategies for developing new AI products, they collaborate closely with engineers and data scientists. An AI Product Manager has expertise in deep learning and machine learning, and knows how AI techniques can be used to solve any given problem. They will be able to determine exactly how an existing product can be improved by using machine learning.

The average annual salary of an AI product manager in the US is $128,091.

AI product manager - top paying artificial intelligence career

10. AI Consultant

An AI consultant advises businesses on how AI and machine learning can be applied into their operations to improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase revenue. They collaborate closely with engineers and other consultants to assist clients in identifying new opportunities and formulating plans for utilizing AI to enhance business operations. It is one of the higher salary brackets in AI.

The average annual salary of an AI consultant in the US is $124,843.

Conclusion

If you are looking to get in to or break in to the AI industry and forge a career in the field of AI, but lack the necessary skills to build a long and lucrative career, an online MBA with Specialization in Advanced AI and Automation from Nexford University could well be the best place to start. You’ll need to complete three specialized courses in addition to 10 core MBA courses. You’ll learn skills based on the latest employer needs and market trends – this is what we call our Workplace Alignment Model – our curriculum is designed to equip you with the skills you need and employers are looking for.


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FAQs

What skills are required to get a high paying job in AI?

A background in programming languages like Python, Java, C/C++, and experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or natural language processing are some of the top skills employers look for in AI applicants. The top 5 skills to get a high paying job in AI include, Programming, Database Modelling, Data Warehousing and Data Processing, Machine Learning, knowledge of Intelligent User interfaces, and Problem Solving. 

Do I need to have a degree to work in AI?

Expect most jobs in AI to require a bachelor's degree or higher. A bachelor's degree in computer science is essential for any employment in AI. Many companies and enterprises prefer a Master's or higher degree in computer science for the same position. A solid portfolio or prior programming skills might serve as an alternative to a master's degree.

Are there any high paying entry-level careers in AI?

As the AI industry is just exploding right now, it stands to reason that there will be a load of jobs, and especially entry level jobs to pick from. If you are just getting started in AI you should consider getting started as an Automation Technician, Operations Analyst, Automation Software Engineer, Mechatronic Engineer, and ai developers.

What is the average salary of an AI professional and what factors affect this?

The national average salary for a Artificial Intelligence is $104,951. Specific skills, location, industry and educational background are also factors that can affect your pay bracket. One of the biggest factors however that can influence your salary is your level of experience. It makes sense - the more experience you have working as an AI professional, the better off you will be. The more expertise you have, the more you can expect to earn.

How can I find high-paying AI jobs?

As per any other industry, there are several online job boards that you can use to hunt for the latest and greatest AI jobs across the globe. Glassdoor is one of the biggest, but other top job boards include, Indeed, LinkedIn, Reed, AI Job, Technojobs, and Totaljobs. These are all worthwhile visiting on a regular basis as we all know that artificial intelligence is one of the highest paying industries right now.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level?

Nexford's Career Path Planner takes into account your experience and interests to provide you with a customized roadmap to success.

Receive personalized advice on the skills and qualifications you need to get ahead in areas like finance, marketing, management and entrepreneurship.

Take the quiz to get started now!

How can I increase my chances of landing a high-paying career in AI?  

AI technology offers some of the highest-paying and most in-demand careers around. Some have the predetermined skills to succeed, others have attended courses online, whilst many have found that attending intensive bootcamps can help them to get a foot in the door, but popular opinion dictates that if you want to get into the AI field, jump-start your career in it, and do ai right, you should join the technological revolution and use reinforcement learning to get a master's degree in computer science or a related field such as data analytics. 

How can I prepare for an AI job interview?

As with any other job interview it would be well advised to research the company and the person interviewing you, know the job description and how your skills can feed into that, and also research some intelligent and relevant questions that you can ask the interviewer. Either way, you'll need to know what to expect going into an AI interview. Here are five interview tips for speaking to AI, according to experts. One, treat it like a normal job interview, two, practice your non-verbal cues, three, remember the time limit, four, don't forget the purpose of the interview and answer accordingly.

Want to land that dream job in AI?

Consider how our online MBA with Specialization in Advanced AI can help acquire the necessary skills and through the skills you learn, increase your earning potential by showing you the skills to become an effective manager and AI professional.

About the author
Mark Talmage-Rostron
Mark Talmage-Rostron

Mark is a college graduate with Honours in Copywriting. He is the Content Marketing Manager at Nexford, creating engaging, thought-provoking, and action-oriented content.

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