2019 Machine Learning & AI Salary Report
23rd December, 2019 5 minutes
The information in this report is based on our personal data from placements made in 2019 and comes from three major locations – London, Cambridge and Oxford.
The reason we've used brackets is due to the difference in location costs. Based on our information, London would be in the higher salary bracket due to the cost of living associated with living in the capital.
For start-up companies, there's been more of an emphasis on a lower salary package but with vested equity in the company. On the other hand, larger scale organisations are able to offer a higher salary with a bonus instead of equity.
For Research based positions, a PhD has been influential in securing a higher salary – in some cases, without industry/commercial based experience.
Several publications at highly contested conferences are always a huge attraction to companies looking to hire Research talent. We have also seen higher salaries offered to graduates from an Engineering and Research background with internship experience and/or an up-to-date Github (or similar) account.
PLACEMENT SALARIES IN 2019
Graduate Machine Learning Engineer £40,000-£50,000
Machine Learning Engineer (1-2 years) £55,000-£65,000
Senior Machine Learning Engineer (3 years+) £85,000-£120,000
Python Engineer (Grad to 1 year) £40,000
Mid-level Python Engineer (2-4 years) £50,000-£70,000
Senior Python Engineer (5 years+) £75,000 - £100,000
Data Scientist £65,000
Senior Data Scientist £70,000-£90,000
Robotics Engineer (Experienced) £50,000
Research Scientist (PhD – 2 years) £83,000
Senior Research Scientist (3 years+) £95,000 - £120,000
BENEFITS (in addition to standard benefits)
- Remote working - candidates will often prioritise a role that offers remote working.
- Paid leave to attend conferences & Meet-Ups.
- Relocation packages – for candidates relocating across the UK or overseas.
- Shares/stocks in the company particularly common in start-ups.
- Free food on-site, or ordered in meals such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats etc.
- Unlimited annual leave
- Private health insurance
- Season ticket loans – commonly offered in London.
- Personal development and training courses e.g. flying candidates out to attend training in different sites across the world.
- Free technology e.g. MacBook, Laptops, Company Phones etc.
WORKING EXPECTATIONS & CULTURE
- Flat line structure – candidates are increasingly asking about company structure and ability to progress within an organisation.
- Mutual trust / flexible work times, trust in getting the work done and meeting deadlines without micro-management.
- Budgets for personal development – companies are actively increasing spending on training facilities/programmes.
- Extended parental leave for both parents (not gender exclusive).
- Having clear company values that employees must uphold & "being heard".
For any further information about the statistics above or other information about the UK Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence market, including competitors, tech on the rise and hiring processes, feel free to contact me.
