Salary Explorer

Real aggregated compensation by role, level and market — annual salary in thousands.

Markets: United States · United Kingdom · Singapore · Remote · Updated 2026-07-15

AI skill premium

Professionals with AI skills can earn 40-60% more than traditional roles

🔥 Hot markets
United StatesRemoteSingapore
📈 Fastest growing
LLM EngineerAI Agent DeveloperMLOps Engineer

Salary ranking by market

Highest-level average for each role in United States (per year)

Machine Learning Engineer
$200k–$350k
$275k
AI Research Scientist
$150k–$300k
$225k
LLM Engineer
$140k–$220k
$180k
AI Agent Developer
$135k–$215k
$175k
Computer Vision Engineer
$130k–$210k
$170k
NLP Engineer
$130k–$210k
$170k
AI Product Manager
$120k–$200k
$160k
MLOps Engineer
$125k–$195k
$160k

Compensation detail · by level & market

Junior0-2 years
  • United States$80k–130k · avg $105k
  • United Kingdom£50k–80k · avg £65k
  • SingaporeS$60k–100k · avg S$80k
  • Remote$70k–110k · avg $90k
Skills required
PythonMachine LearningTensorFlow/PyTorchData Analysis
Mid-level3-5 years
  • United States$130k–200k · avg $165k
  • United Kingdom£80k–120k · avg £100k
  • SingaporeS$100k–150k · avg S$125k
  • Remote$110k–170k · avg $140k
Skills required
PythonML/DLMLOpsProduction SystemsTeam Collaboration
Senior5+ years
  • United States$200k–350k · avg $275k
  • United Kingdom£120k–200k · avg £160k
  • SingaporeS$150k–250k · avg S$200k
  • Remote$170k–300k · avg $235k
Skills required
ML/DLSystem DesignLeadershipStrategic Planning

US salaries often include significant equity/stock options

Where to work · 15 global cities

ML Engineer salary, cost of living and visa outlook by city (salary in local $k/year).

San Francisco Bay Area
United States
Very Hot
220k
avg ML salary
160k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 100
OpenAIAnthropicGoogleMeta
H1BO1L1TN (Canada/Mexico)
New York City
United States
Hot
210k
avg ML salary
150k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 95
Two SigmaDatadogHugging FaceScale AI
H1BO1L1
Seattle
United States
Hot
195k
avg ML salary
150k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 75
AmazonMicrosoftMetaGoogle
H1BO1L1TN
Austin
United States
Growing
170k
avg ML salary
137k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 60
TeslaOracleIndeedAmazon
H1BO1L1TN
Toronto
Canada
Good
135k
avg ML salary
82k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 65
CohereVector InstituteShopifyRBC AI
Express EntryProvincial NomineeWork Permit
London
United Kingdom
Good
90k
avg ML salary
77k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 70
Google DeepMindStability AIDarktraceBenevolentAI
Skilled WorkerGlobal TalentScale-up
Berlin
Germany
Growing
85k
avg ML salary
75k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 55
ZalandoDeepLN26Delivery Hero
EU Blue CardJob Seeker VisaFreelance
Tel Aviv
Israel
Very Hot
120k
avg ML salary
95k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 75
MobileyeAI21 LabsDatagenGong
B1 Work VisaExpert Visa
Bangalore
India
Very Hot
28k
avg ML salary
23k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 25
Google IndiaMicrosoftFlipkartOla
Employment Visa (foreigners)Locals: N/A
Sydney
Australia
Good
125k
avg ML salary
65k
after cost of living
Cost of living index: 72
AtlassianCanvaCommonwealth BankQuantium
Skilled IndependentEmployer SponsoredGlobal Talent

Pick by priority

  • Maximize Savings:Seattle, Austin, Berlin, Bangalore
  • Maximize Learning:San Francisco, New York, London
  • Most Opportunities:San Francisco, New York, Seattle
  • Easiest Immigration:Toronto, Berlin, Sydney
  • Best Work Life Balance:Berlin, Sydney, Toronto

Detailed compensation · percentiles & equity

P25–P90 base plus equity, bonus, sign-on and contractor rates (annual $k).

LLM Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$210k median
P25 $159kP75 $268kP90 $319k
Equity / yr
31-73k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
21-52k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
New York City · n=320
$199k median
P25 $151kP75 $255kP90 $303k
Equity / yr
29-69k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
19-49k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Seattle · n=320
$189k median
P25 $143kP75 $241kP90 $287k
Equity / yr
28-66k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
18-47k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Boston · n=180
$184k median
P25 $140kP75 $236kP90 $280k
Equity / yr
27-64k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
18-46k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Austin · n=120
$172k median
P25 $130kP75 $220kP90 $261k
Equity / yr
25-60k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
17-43k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Los Angeles · n=120
$178k median
P25 $135kP75 $228kP90 $271k
Equity / yr
26-62k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
17-44k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
London · n=180
£157k median
P25 £119kP75 £201kP90 £239k
Equity / yr
23-54k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
15-39k
Contract / hr
£0-0
LLM Engineer
Berlin · n=120
$115k median
P25 $87kP75 $147kP90 $175k
Equity / yr
17-40k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
11-28k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Paris · n=120
$121k median
P25 $92kP75 $155kP90 $185k
Equity / yr
18-42k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
12-30k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Amsterdam · n=120
$126k median
P25 $95kP75 $161kP90 $191k
Equity / yr
18-44k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
12-31k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Toronto · n=120
$136k median
P25 $103kP75 $174kP90 $207k
Equity / yr
20-47k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
13-34k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Singapore · n=120
S$147k median
P25 S$111kP75 S$188kP90 S$223k
Equity / yr
22-51k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
14-36k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
LLM Engineer
Tel Aviv · n=120
$142k median
P25 $108kP75 $182kP90 $217k
Equity / yr
21-49k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
14-35k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Tokyo · n=120
$130k median
P25 $98kP75 $166kP90 $197k
Equity / yr
19-45k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
13-32k
Contract / hr
$0-0
LLM Engineer
Sydney · n=120
$151k median
P25 $114kP75 $193kP90 $229k
Equity / yr
22-52k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
15-37k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$195k median
P25 $148kP75 $249kP90 $296k
Equity / yr
29-68k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
19-48k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
New York City · n=320
$185k median
P25 $140kP75 $237kP90 $281k
Equity / yr
27-64k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
18-46k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Seattle · n=320
$175k median
P25 $133kP75 $224kP90 $266k
Equity / yr
26-61k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
17-43k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Boston · n=180
$171k median
P25 $130kP75 $219kP90 $260k
Equity / yr
25-59k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
17-42k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Austin · n=120
$159k median
P25 $121kP75 $204kP90 $243k
Equity / yr
23-55k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-39k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Los Angeles · n=120
$165k median
P25 $125kP75 $212kP90 $251k
Equity / yr
24-57k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
16-41k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
London · n=180
£146k median
P25 £111kP75 £187kP90 £222k
Equity / yr
21-51k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
14-36k
Contract / hr
£0-0
ML Engineer
Berlin · n=120
$107k median
P25 $81kP75 $137kP90 $163k
Equity / yr
16-37k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-26k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Paris · n=120
$113k median
P25 $85kP75 $144kP90 $171k
Equity / yr
16-39k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-28k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Amsterdam · n=120
$117k median
P25 $88kP75 $149kP90 $177k
Equity / yr
17-40k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-29k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Toronto · n=120
$126k median
P25 $96kP75 $162kP90 $192k
Equity / yr
18-44k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-31k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Singapore · n=120
S$136k median
P25 S$103kP75 S$174kP90 S$207k
Equity / yr
20-47k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-34k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
ML Engineer
Tel Aviv · n=120
$132k median
P25 $100kP75 $169kP90 $201k
Equity / yr
19-46k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-33k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Tokyo · n=120
$120k median
P25 $91kP75 $154kP90 $183k
Equity / yr
18-42k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-30k
Contract / hr
$0-0
ML Engineer
Sydney · n=120
$140k median
P25 $106kP75 $179kP90 $213k
Equity / yr
21-49k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
14-35k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$200k median
P25 $152kP75 $256kP90 $304k
Equity / yr
30-70k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
20-50k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
New York City · n=320
$190k median
P25 $144kP75 $243kP90 $288k
Equity / yr
28-66k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
19-47k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Seattle · n=320
$180k median
P25 $136kP75 $230kP90 $273k
Equity / yr
27-62k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
18-45k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Boston · n=180
$176k median
P25 $133kP75 $225kP90 $267k
Equity / yr
26-61k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
17-44k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Austin · n=120
$164k median
P25 $124kP75 $209kP90 $249k
Equity / yr
24-57k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
16-41k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Los Angeles · n=120
$170k median
P25 $129kP75 $217kP90 $258k
Equity / yr
25-59k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
17-42k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
London · n=180
£150k median
P25 £114kP75 £192kP90 £228k
Equity / yr
22-52k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-37k
Contract / hr
£0-0
MLOps Engineer
Berlin · n=120
$110k median
P25 $83kP75 $140kP90 $167k
Equity / yr
16-38k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-27k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Paris · n=120
$115k median
P25 $88kP75 $148kP90 $176k
Equity / yr
17-40k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-28k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Amsterdam · n=120
$120k median
P25 $91kP75 $153kP90 $182k
Equity / yr
18-42k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-30k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Toronto · n=120
$130k median
P25 $98kP75 $166kP90 $197k
Equity / yr
19-45k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-32k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Singapore · n=120
S$140k median
P25 S$106kP75 S$179kP90 S$212k
Equity / yr
21-49k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
14-35k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Tel Aviv · n=120
$136k median
P25 $103kP75 $174kP90 $206k
Equity / yr
20-47k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-34k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Tokyo · n=120
$124k median
P25 $94kP75 $158kP90 $188k
Equity / yr
18-43k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-31k
Contract / hr
$0-0
MLOps Engineer
Sydney · n=120
$144k median
P25 $109kP75 $184kP90 $218k
Equity / yr
21-50k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
14-36k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$185k median
P25 $140kP75 $236kP90 $281k
Equity / yr
27-64k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
18-46k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
New York City · n=320
$175k median
P25 $133kP75 $224kP90 $267k
Equity / yr
26-61k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
17-43k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Seattle · n=320
$166k median
P25 $126kP75 $213kP90 $253k
Equity / yr
24-58k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
16-41k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Boston · n=180
$162k median
P25 $123kP75 $208kP90 $247k
Equity / yr
24-56k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
16-40k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Austin · n=120
$151k median
P25 $115kP75 $194kP90 $230k
Equity / yr
22-52k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-37k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Los Angeles · n=120
$157k median
P25 $119kP75 $201kP90 $239k
Equity / yr
23-54k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-39k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
London · n=180
£138k median
P25 £105kP75 £177kP90 £210k
Equity / yr
20-48k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-34k
Contract / hr
£0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Berlin · n=120
$101k median
P25 $77kP75 $130kP90 $154k
Equity / yr
15-35k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-25k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Paris · n=120
$107k median
P25 $81kP75 $137kP90 $163k
Equity / yr
16-37k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-26k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Amsterdam · n=120
$111k median
P25 $84kP75 $142kP90 $168k
Equity / yr
16-38k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-27k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Toronto · n=120
$120k median
P25 $91kP75 $153kP90 $182k
Equity / yr
18-42k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-30k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Singapore · n=120
S$129k median
P25 S$98kP75 S$165kP90 S$196k
Equity / yr
19-45k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-32k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Tel Aviv · n=120
$125k median
P25 $95kP75 $161kP90 $191k
Equity / yr
18-43k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-31k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Tokyo · n=120
$114k median
P25 $87kP75 $146kP90 $174k
Equity / yr
17-39k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-28k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Computer Vision Engineer
Sydney · n=120
$133k median
P25 $101kP75 $170kP90 $202k
Equity / yr
19-46k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-33k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$180k median
P25 $136kP75 $230kP90 $273k
Equity / yr
27-62k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
18-45k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
New York City · n=320
$171k median
P25 $129kP75 $218kP90 $259k
Equity / yr
25-59k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
17-42k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Seattle · n=320
$162k median
P25 $123kP75 $207kP90 $246k
Equity / yr
24-56k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
16-40k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Boston · n=180
$158k median
P25 $120kP75 $202kP90 $240k
Equity / yr
23-55k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-39k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Austin · n=120
$147k median
P25 $112kP75 $188kP90 $224k
Equity / yr
22-51k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
14-36k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Los Angeles · n=120
$153k median
P25 $116kP75 $195kP90 $232k
Equity / yr
22-53k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-38k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
London · n=180
£135k median
P25 £102kP75 £172kP90 £205k
Equity / yr
20-47k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-33k
Contract / hr
£0-0
NLP Engineer
Berlin · n=120
$99k median
P25 $75kP75 $126kP90 $150k
Equity / yr
14-34k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
9-24k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Paris · n=120
$104k median
P25 $79kP75 $133kP90 $158k
Equity / yr
15-36k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-26k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Amsterdam · n=120
$108k median
P25 $82kP75 $138kP90 $164k
Equity / yr
16-37k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-27k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Toronto · n=120
$117k median
P25 $88kP75 $149kP90 $177k
Equity / yr
17-40k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-29k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Singapore · n=120
S$125k median
P25 S$95kP75 S$161kP90 S$191k
Equity / yr
18-43k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-31k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
NLP Engineer
Tel Aviv · n=120
$122k median
P25 $93kP75 $156kP90 $186k
Equity / yr
18-42k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-30k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Tokyo · n=120
$111k median
P25 $84kP75 $142kP90 $169k
Equity / yr
16-38k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-27k
Contract / hr
$0-0
NLP Engineer
Sydney · n=120
$129k median
P25 $98kP75 $165kP90 $196k
Equity / yr
19-45k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-32k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$240k median
P25 $182kP75 $307kP90 $364k
Equity / yr
36-84k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
24-60k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
New York City · n=320
$228k median
P25 $173kP75 $291kP90 $346k
Equity / yr
34-79k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
22-57k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Seattle · n=320
$216k median
P25 $164kP75 $276kP90 $328k
Equity / yr
32-75k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
21-54k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Boston · n=180
$211k median
P25 $160kP75 $270kP90 $321k
Equity / yr
31-73k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
21-52k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Austin · n=120
$196k median
P25 $149kP75 $251kP90 $299k
Equity / yr
29-68k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
19-49k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Los Angeles · n=120
$204k median
P25 $155kP75 $261kP90 $310k
Equity / yr
30-71k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
20-51k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
London · n=180
£180k median
P25 £136kP75 £230kP90 £273k
Equity / yr
27-62k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
18-45k
Contract / hr
£0-0
AI Research Scientist
Berlin · n=120
$132k median
P25 $100kP75 $168kP90 $200k
Equity / yr
19-46k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
13-33k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Paris · n=120
$139k median
P25 $105kP75 $178kP90 $211k
Equity / yr
20-48k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
13-34k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Amsterdam · n=120
$144k median
P25 $109kP75 $184kP90 $218k
Equity / yr
21-50k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
14-36k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Toronto · n=120
$156k median
P25 $118kP75 $199kP90 $237k
Equity / yr
23-54k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
15-39k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Singapore · n=120
S$168k median
P25 S$127kP75 S$215kP90 S$255k
Equity / yr
25-58k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
16-42k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Tel Aviv · n=120
$163k median
P25 $124kP75 $208kP90 $248k
Equity / yr
24-57k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
16-40k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Tokyo · n=120
$148k median
P25 $113kP75 $190kP90 $226k
Equity / yr
22-51k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
14-37k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Research Scientist
Sydney · n=120
$172k median
P25 $131kP75 $221kP90 $262k
Equity / yr
25-60k RSUs
Bonus
15-25%
Sign-on
17-43k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$150k median
P25 $114kP75 $192kP90 $228k
Equity / yr
22-52k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-37k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
New York City · n=320
$142k median
P25 $108kP75 $182kP90 $216k
Equity / yr
21-49k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
14-35k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Seattle · n=320
$135k median
P25 $102kP75 $172kP90 $205k
Equity / yr
20-47k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-33k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Boston · n=180
$132k median
P25 $100kP75 $168kP90 $200k
Equity / yr
19-46k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-33k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Austin · n=120
$122k median
P25 $93kP75 $157kP90 $186k
Equity / yr
18-42k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-30k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Los Angeles · n=120
$127k median
P25 $96kP75 $163kP90 $193k
Equity / yr
19-44k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-31k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
London · n=180
£112k median
P25 £85kP75 £144kP90 £171k
Equity / yr
16-39k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-28k
Contract / hr
£0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Berlin · n=120
$82k median
P25 $62kP75 $105kP90 $125k
Equity / yr
12-28k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
8-20k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Paris · n=120
$87k median
P25 $66kP75 $111kP90 $132k
Equity / yr
13-30k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
8-21k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Amsterdam · n=120
$90k median
P25 $68kP75 $115kP90 $136k
Equity / yr
13-31k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
9-22k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Toronto · n=120
$97k median
P25 $74kP75 $124kP90 $148k
Equity / yr
14-33k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
9-24k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Singapore · n=120
S$105k median
P25 S$79kP75 S$134kP90 S$159k
Equity / yr
15-36k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-26k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Tel Aviv · n=120
$102k median
P25 $77kP75 $130kP90 $155k
Equity / yr
15-35k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-25k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Tokyo · n=120
$93k median
P25 $70kP75 $119kP90 $141k
Equity / yr
13-32k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
9-23k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Data Scientist - ML
Sydney · n=120
$108k median
P25 $82kP75 $138kP90 $164k
Equity / yr
16-37k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-27k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$155k median
P25 $117kP75 $198kP90 $235k
Equity / yr
23-54k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-38k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
New York City · n=320
$147k median
P25 $111kP75 $188kP90 $223k
Equity / yr
22-51k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
14-36k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Seattle · n=320
$139k median
P25 $106kP75 $178kP90 $212k
Equity / yr
20-48k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-34k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Boston · n=180
$136k median
P25 $103kP75 $174kP90 $207k
Equity / yr
20-47k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-34k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Austin · n=120
$127k median
P25 $96kP75 $162kP90 $193k
Equity / yr
19-44k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-31k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Los Angeles · n=120
$131k median
P25 $100kP75 $168kP90 $200k
Equity / yr
19-45k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-32k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
London · n=180
£116k median
P25 £88kP75 £148kP90 £176k
Equity / yr
17-40k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-29k
Contract / hr
£0-0
Prompt Engineer
Berlin · n=120
$85k median
P25 $64kP75 $109kP90 $129k
Equity / yr
12-29k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
8-21k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Paris · n=120
$89k median
P25 $68kP75 $115kP90 $136k
Equity / yr
13-31k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
8-22k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Amsterdam · n=120
$93k median
P25 $70kP75 $119kP90 $141k
Equity / yr
13-32k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
9-23k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Toronto · n=120
$100k median
P25 $76kP75 $128kP90 $153k
Equity / yr
15-35k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-25k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Singapore · n=120
S$108k median
P25 S$82kP75 S$138kP90 S$164k
Equity / yr
16-37k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-27k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Tel Aviv · n=120
$105k median
P25 $80kP75 $134kP90 $160k
Equity / yr
15-36k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-26k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Tokyo · n=120
$96k median
P25 $73kP75 $123kP90 $146k
Equity / yr
14-33k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
9-24k
Contract / hr
$0-0
Prompt Engineer
Sydney · n=120
$111k median
P25 $84kP75 $142kP90 $169k
Equity / yr
16-38k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-27k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$185k median
P25 $140kP75 $236kP90 $281k
Equity / yr
27-64k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
18-46k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
New York City · n=320
$175k median
P25 $133kP75 $224kP90 $267k
Equity / yr
26-61k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
17-43k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Seattle · n=320
$166k median
P25 $126kP75 $213kP90 $253k
Equity / yr
24-58k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
16-41k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Boston · n=180
$162k median
P25 $123kP75 $208kP90 $247k
Equity / yr
24-56k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
16-40k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Austin · n=120
$151k median
P25 $115kP75 $194kP90 $230k
Equity / yr
22-52k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-37k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Los Angeles · n=120
$157k median
P25 $119kP75 $201kP90 $239k
Equity / yr
23-54k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-39k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
London · n=180
£138k median
P25 £105kP75 £177kP90 £210k
Equity / yr
20-48k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-34k
Contract / hr
£0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Berlin · n=120
$101k median
P25 $77kP75 $130kP90 $154k
Equity / yr
15-35k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-25k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Paris · n=120
$107k median
P25 $81kP75 $137kP90 $163k
Equity / yr
16-37k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-26k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Amsterdam · n=120
$111k median
P25 $84kP75 $142kP90 $168k
Equity / yr
16-38k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-27k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Toronto · n=120
$120k median
P25 $91kP75 $153kP90 $182k
Equity / yr
18-42k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-30k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Singapore · n=120
S$129k median
P25 S$98kP75 S$165kP90 S$196k
Equity / yr
19-45k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-32k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Tel Aviv · n=120
$125k median
P25 $95kP75 $161kP90 $191k
Equity / yr
18-43k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-31k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Tokyo · n=120
$114k median
P25 $87kP75 $146kP90 $174k
Equity / yr
17-39k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-28k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Safety Engineer
Sydney · n=120
$133k median
P25 $101kP75 $170kP90 $202k
Equity / yr
19-46k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-33k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
San Francisco Bay Area · n=450
$175k median
P25 $133kP75 $224kP90 $266k
Equity / yr
26-61k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
17-43k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
New York City · n=320
$166k median
P25 $126kP75 $212kP90 $252k
Equity / yr
24-58k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
16-41k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Seattle · n=320
$157k median
P25 $119kP75 $201kP90 $239k
Equity / yr
23-54k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-39k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Boston · n=180
$154k median
P25 $117kP75 $197kP90 $234k
Equity / yr
23-53k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
15-38k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Austin · n=120
$143k median
P25 $109kP75 $183kP90 $218k
Equity / yr
21-50k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
14-35k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Los Angeles · n=120
$148k median
P25 $113kP75 $190kP90 $226k
Equity / yr
22-51k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
14-37k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
London · n=180
£131k median
P25 £99kP75 £168kP90 £199k
Equity / yr
19-45k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
13-32k
Contract / hr
£0-0
AI Product Manager
Berlin · n=120
$96k median
P25 $73kP75 $123kP90 $146k
Equity / yr
14-33k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
9-24k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Paris · n=120
$101k median
P25 $77kP75 $129kP90 $154k
Equity / yr
15-35k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-25k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Amsterdam · n=120
$105k median
P25 $79kP75 $134kP90 $159k
Equity / yr
15-36k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-26k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Toronto · n=120
$113k median
P25 $86kP75 $145kP90 $172k
Equity / yr
16-39k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-28k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Singapore · n=120
S$122k median
P25 S$93kP75 S$156kP90 S$186k
Equity / yr
18-42k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-30k
Contract / hr
S$0-0
AI Product Manager
Tel Aviv · n=120
$119k median
P25 $90kP75 $152kP90 $180k
Equity / yr
17-41k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
11-29k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Tokyo · n=120
$108k median
P25 $82kP75 $138kP90 $164k
Equity / yr
16-37k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
10-27k
Contract / hr
$0-0
AI Product Manager
Sydney · n=120
$126k median
P25 $95kP75 $161kP90 $191k
Equity / yr
18-44k RSUs
Bonus
10-20%
Sign-on
12-31k
Contract / hr
$0-0

Visa & immigration

Work-visa routes compared — processing time, cost and approval rate.

United States
H-1B
20-30% (lottery system) approved
Processing
6-12 months (lottery in March, start October)
Cost
5000-10000
Quota
85000
Pros
  • ✓Path to Green Card
  • ✓Dual intent allowed
  • ✓Can work only for sponsor

💡 Apply through multiple employers if possible

Canada
Express Entry (Skilled Worker)
70-80% (if qualified) approved
Processing
6-12 months
Cost
1500-3000
Quota
Variable (points-based)
Pros
  • ✓Predictable (points-based)
  • ✓Direct to PR
  • ✓No employer tie
  • ✓Family included

💡 Max your points (French helps, age <30 better)

Germany
EU Blue Card
90%+ (if have job offer) approved
Processing
2-4 months
Cost
200-500
Quota
Unlimited
Pros
  • ✓Fast
  • ✓Cheap
  • ✓No language requirement
  • ✓EU access
  • ✓Path to PR (21-33 months)

💡 Apply to jobs before moving

United Kingdom
Skilled Worker Visa
85%+ (if meet requirements) approved
Processing
3 weeks (priority available)
Cost
2000-3000
Quota
Unlimited (for high-skill)
Pros
  • ✓Fast processing
  • ✓Path to settlement (5 years)
  • ✓Family included

💡 Priority processing worth it (£500)

Quick comparison

  • Easiest:Germany (EU Blue Card) - if you have job offer
  • Fastest:Germany (2-4 months)
  • Cheapest:Germany (~€300)
  • Highest Salary:United States (but lottery)
  • Recommendation:Try Canada Express Entry + Germany EU Blue Card simultaneously for best odds
  • Highest Approval:Germany (90%+)
  • Best For Direct Pr:Canada (6-12 months to PR)

Real negotiation case studies

Anonymized before/after outcomes and what moved the number.

Metadata

Note: Anonymized real cases showing negotiation process and outcomes
Title: Real Salary Negotiation Case Studies
Last Updated: 2026-07-15T20:16:02.491379

Case Studies

Title: Backend Engineer → LLM Engineer (Career Switch)
Case Id: 1

Lessons

  • ›Having competing offer increased leverage significantly
  • ›Don't anchor too low - they met in middle
  • ›Equity negotiable at startups (less so at big tech)
  • ›Domain expertise (backend) justified higher offer

Outcome

Accepted: AI Startup
Equity Potential: Could be worth $500k+ if startup succeeds
Total Comp Year1: $180k (base + sign-on)
Increase From Previous: +50%

Background

Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Education: BS Computer Science
Experience: 5 years backend (Java/Spring)
Current Salary: $120k base

Transition

Github Stars: 200+ across projects
Projects Built: 4
Learning Period: 8 months

Offers Received

Title: LLM Engineer
Company: AI Startup (Series B)

Counter

Base: $165k
Bonus: $30k sign-on
Equity: 0.20%
Reasoning: Cited competing offer, domain expertise from backend
Decision: Accepted

Final Offer

Base: $155k
Bonus: $25k sign-on
Equity: 0.18%

Initial Offer

Base: $145k
Bonus: $20k sign-on
Equity: 0.15% (4yr vest)
Title: ML Engineer II
Company: Midsize Tech Company
Counter: Did not counter (used to negotiate with startup)
Decision: Declined

Initial Offer

Base: $140k
Bonus: 15% annual
Equity: RSUs worth $40k/yr

Negotiation Process

Offers: 2
Onsites: 5
Responses: 18
Phone Screens: 12
Companies Applied: 60
Title: PhD → AI Research Scientist (New Grad)
Case Id: 2

Lessons

  • ›PhD + publications = high leverage
  • ›AI safety companies pay competitively
  • ›Multiple offers essential for top comp
  • ›Mission alignment can override comp

Outcome

Accepted: Anthropic
Reasoning: Mission alignment (AI safety) > slightly higher Google comp
Total Comp Year1: $300k+ (base + sign-on)
Increase From Phd: +757%

Background

Location: Remote (USA)
Education: PhD Computer Science (ML focus)
Experience: 5 years PhD, 2 internships
Publications: 3 papers (1 at NeurIPS)
Current Salary: $35k/yr stipend

Offers Received

Title: Research Scientist
Company: Google Research

Counter

Base: $200k
Reasoning: Cited competing offers from OpenAI and Anthropic
Decision: Declined (chose Anthropic)

Final Offer

Base: $185k
Bonus: $75k sign-on
Equity: $175k/yr RSUs
Total Year1: $435k

Initial Offer

Base: $175k
Bonus: $50k sign-on
Equity: $150k/yr RSUs (4yr)
Total Year1: $375k
Title: Research Scientist
Company: Anthropic
Counter: Did not counter (already top of market)
Decision: Accepted
Final Offer: Same as initial

Initial Offer

Base: $200k
Bonus: $100k sign-on
Equity: Significant (private company)

Negotiation Process

Offers: 4
Onsites: 8
Responses: 15
Companies Applied: 20
Title: Self-Taught → Junior ML Engineer (No Degree)
Case Id: 3

Lessons

  • ›Viral project was key (proof of ability)
  • ›No degree = harder (120 apps for 1 offer)
  • ›Small startups more willing to overlook no degree
  • ›First job is foot in door (comp improves fast)
  • ›Limited leverage with only 1 offer

Outcome

Outlook: Foot in door, can jump to $130k+ in 2 years
Accepted: Small AI Startup
Total Comp Year1: $95k
Increase From Previous: ∞ (from $0)

Background

Location: Austin, TX
Education: High school only
Portfolio: 5 strong projects, 1 viral (50k+ users)
Experience: 2 years self-learning
Current Salary: $0 (learning full-time)

Offers Received

Title: Junior ML Engineer
Company: Small AI Startup (Seed)

Counter

Base: $100k
Reasoning: Viral project proves ability, Austin market rate
Decision: Accepted

Final Offer

Base: $90k
Bonus: $5k sign-on
Equity: 0.6%

Initial Offer

Base: $85k
Bonus: None
Equity: 0.5%

Negotiation Process

Offers: 1
Onsites: 2
Responses: 8
Phone Screens: 6
Companies Applied: 120

Key Insights

Timing: AI boom 2024-2026 = higher comp than historical
Location: Remote/Austin ~20-30% lower than SF Bay Area
Publications: Each top-venue paper worth ~$20k in negotiation
Viral Projects: 50k+ users = proof of ability (offsets lack of degree)
Competing Offers: 2+ offers increases final comp by 20-40%
Domain Expertise: Relevant industry experience adds 10-20% premium
🏢

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Hot-role rankings, skill demand and 2026-2028 trends.

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