5 high paying AI jobs and the skills you need to get them
Self-driving cars, websites that recommend products you might like and predicting trading trends – artificial intelligence and machine learning has thousands of applications in hundreds of industries. And as more industries seek to embrace the advantages this technology can bring, more companies are on the hunt for people with AI skills.
With a shortage of people with skills in this emerging field, companies are competing hard to lure the best available talent to work for them. As a result, they’re pulling out all the stops to attract those with highly sought-after AI skills, including offering six-figure salaries (or close to it).
If you want a slice of the AI pie, take a look at five of the highest-paying AI jobs out there and what skills and experience you need to get into them:
Click on the modules below to find out more:
1. Data Scientist
Qualifications and experience required:
• A PhD in computer science, maths or a related field is desirable, but a Masters in computer science, maths or electrical engineering may also be suitable depending on the seniority of the role.
• At least two years’ experience working with machine learning.
Skills required:
• Expert knowledge of machine learning
• Software development using Python, R, C++
• Good understanding of statistics
Potential pay rates:
• Permanent: £75,000 - £150,000 (lead roles)
• Contract: £500-£700 daily rate
2. Big data architect/engineer
Qualifications and experience required:
• Most big data engineers and architects come straight into the position after completing a PhD. Computer science, maths or a related field is desirable.
• At least two years’ experience working with machine learning.
Skills required:
• Expert in Hadoop and Spark
• Software development using Python, C++, Java, Scala
• Data mining
• Data visualisation and migration
Potential pay rates:
• Permanent: £70,000 - £130,000 (lead roles)
• Contract: £500-£700 daily rate
3. AI researcher
Qualifications and experience required:
• PhD in machine learning or computer science is a must for AI researchers.
• Experience working in research and a publication record is sought-after.
Skills required:
• Expert knowledge in AI, data science and machine learning.
• Understanding of software development.
• Research skills, critical thinking, documenting and reporting
Potential pay rates:
• Permanent: £70,000 - £90,000)
4. Machine learning engineer
Qualifications and experience required:
• A post-graduate degree such as a Masters in computer science.
Skills required:
• Expert in machine learning, deep learning and neural networks.
• Strong software development skills – C++, Python
• Application of machine learning algorithms
Potential pay rates:
• Permanent: £70,000
• Contract: £575 daily rate
5. DevOps architect
Qualifications and experience required:
• Five years or more experience developing high-performance big data platforms
• Post-graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in a computer-related field
Skills required:
• Infrastructure automation tools; Puppet, Ansible, SaltShack and Chef
• Understanding of code in multiple languages; Ruby and Python are a real plus
• Knowledge of Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) tools like Jenkins and CruiseControl
• Containers; Docker or Kubernetes
• Outstanding communication skills
Potential pay rates:
• Permanent: £70,000 - £120,000
• Contract: £550 - £750 daily rate
On top of the technical skills needed to excel, businesses are also looking for excellent communication skills as each position will be expected to work collaboratively and report to key stakeholders. If you have the mix of these technical and soft skills, you could be well on the way to unlocking these premium salaries and be on the front line of exciting AI developments.
About Chris Rosebert
Chris Rosebert is Head of Data Science and AI at Networkers, recruiting AI professionals for the last five years within some of Europe's leading organisations. He has provided insights and thought leadership to publications such as IT Pro Portal, Computer Weekly and writes regularly for the Networkers website.
You can get in touch with Chris via email or you can view his latest AI and Data Science jobs.
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