Overview of the AI Industry
AI will change the world, it will impact businesses and our personal lives. With a current market capitalization of over 500 Billion and growing at 19 percent per annum, no doubt that a career in the AI niche will even be larger in the coming years. This blog post will explore the top 10 career choices in Artificial Intelligence.
We shall highlight the top AI jobs, and provide clarity on what they entail, the skills demand for the jobs, and the salaries for each of them. Finally, we will make a comparison of the salaries across different locations like the US market and similar economies like the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Hopefully, you will be able to draw some insights into what kind of AI career opportunities you want to explore. So here is the list of the top 10 AI careers I think you should explore:
1. Artificial Intelligence(AI) or Machine Learning(ML) Engineer
AI or ML engineers are interchangeable depending on the Hiring managers. AI Engineering (or Machine Learning Engineering is a combination of two job roles: Software Engineering and Data Science.
Software Engineer + Data Scientist = AI Engineer (or Machine Learning Engineer)
As an AI/ML Engineer, you will be responsible for developing AI tools, Systems, and processes that can be applied to real-world problems.
This will require you to use Data Science knowledge (Mathematics, Statistics, Programming languages like Python and R, ML algorithms, etc.) to build and train Machine Learning models.
And then the use of Software Engineering skills to deploy/integrate them into Applications and Software.
Skills For AI/ML Engineering Job Role
The Core and Technical (Tools) skills requirements for AI/ML Engineering job roles are in the table below;
| Tool Skills | Core Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Python | Communication Skills |
| 2. | Pandas & Exploratory Data Analysis | Business Understanding |
| 3. | Structured Query Language (SQL) | Computer Science Fundamentals |
| 4. | Git, Github, DSA | Mathematics and Statistics |
| 5. | NLP or Computer Vision | |
| 6. | Machine Learning | |
| 7. | ML OPS |
Salary of AI/ML Engineer (Earning Comparison in US, UK, Canada and Australia)
The average salary of AI and ML engineers in the US is $164,000 per annum (Glassdoor 2024)
A comparison of the Salary of an AI/ML Engineer in the US, UK, Canada and Australia is as follows;
| USA | UK | Canada | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary Range (per annum) | $131- $210 | £40K - £68K | CAD 87K - $153K | AUD 92K -152K |
| Average Salary (per annum) | $164K | £56K | CAD 98K | AUD 132K |
2. Data Scientist
The job of a Data Scientist is to extract meaningful insights from a large collection of Data or train Machine Learning models to do so. Such insights are very useful in making informed decisions for businesses and organizations.
As of 2023, Data Science was the most popular type of AI job in the U.S. It accounted for about 24 percent of all AI-related jobs.
Skills Requirement For Data Scientist Job Role
The Core and Tool skills requirement for a Data Scientist job role are summarized in the table below;
| Tool Skills | Core Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Python | Communication |
| 2. | SQL | Mathematics and Statistics |
| 3. | Pandas and Exploratory Data Analysis | Analytic Mindset |
| 4. | Machine Learning | Business Understanding |
| 5. | NLP or Computer Vision | |
| 6. | Data Visualization Tools | |
| 7. | Machine Learning OPS |
Salary of a Data Scientist (Earning Comparison in US, UK, Canada and Australia)
The salary range for a Data Scientist in the US (from data I culled from various LinkedIn job postings) ranges from $110K – $220K per annum, with an average of about $140K per annum.
The average salary comparison for a Data Scientist in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia is in the table below;
| USA | UK | Canada | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary Range (per annum) | $110K – $220K | £46K – £80K | CAD 81K–CAD138K | AUD 85K -156k |
| Average Salary (per annum) | $140K | £57K | CAD 90K | AUD 130 |
(Reference for Salaries for Data Scientist in Australia https://getgis.org/blog/data-scientist-salary-in-australia and from various listing)
3. AI Product Manager
An AI Product Manager oversees the planning, development and launch of AI products and services to the users.
They drive the AI product vision of the organization and make sure that all aspects of the product are in harmony – from the engineering, marketing, sales, customer feedback etc.
AI Product manager is one of the top AI jobs that are non-technical. It is often a top-tier AI jobs and will require you work closely with the technical team.
AI Product Manager Skill Requirement
The core and tool skills requirement for an AI product Manager are in the table below:
| Tool Skills | Core Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Product Management tools (Jira, Asana) | Product vision and strategy |
| 2. | Excel/Power BI | Customer Empathy |
| 3. | AI/ML know hows | Project Management |
| 4. | Prototyping tools (Figma, Sketch) | Stakeholder Management |
| 5. | Road mapping Software (Roadmunk, ProductPlan) | Business Understanding |
| 6. | Communication tools | Communication & Team Spirit |
Salary of an AI Product Manager (Earning Comparison in US, UK, Canada and Australia)
AI Product Manager earning range is between $193K – $320K per annum (according to Glassdoor) with an average of $246K per annum.
In comparison, the table below shows the salary of AI Product Manager in US, UK, Canada and Australia.
| USA | UK | Canada | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary Range (per annum) | $193K - $320K | £45K - £82K | $78K - $127K | $153K - $174K |
| Average Salary Range (per annum) | $246K | £60,389 | $89K | $159K |
4. Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer
This is an AI or Machine Learning Engineer with a specialization in Natural Language Processing. NLP helps computers to recognize, understand and communicate in human language.
Simply put, NLP enables Computers to process text or voice inputs, and also give outputs in human (linguistic) language. Common chatbots (like ChatGPT), Voice activated GPS, Digital assistants all use NLP.
NLP Engineer Skills Requirement
The core and tool skills requirement for an NLP Engineer are in the table below:
| Tool Skills | Core Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Python | Computer Science Fundamentals |
| 2. | SQL | Mathematics and Statistics |
| 3. | Deep Learning | Communication |
| 4. | Machine Learning | Linguistics principles |
| 5. | NLP Libraries and Frameworks (NLTK, spaCy, TensorFlow) | |
| 6. | Language models |
Salary of an NLP Engineer (Earning Comparison in US, UK, Canada and Australia)
The salary of an NLP Engineer in the US ranges $131K – $190K per annum, with an average of about $157K.
The table below shows the salary an NLP Engineer in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia.
| USA | UK | Canada | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary Range (per annum) | $131K - $190K | £43K - £65K | $75K - $102K | $95K - 105K |
| Average Salary Range (per annum) | $157K | £53K | $87K | $100K |
5. Computer Vision Engineer
Much like NLP Engineering, Computer Vision Engineering is a specialization of AI or Machine Learning Engineering. It focuses on Computer Vision which deals with how computers are able to recognize real life objects.
Computer Vision enables computers to understand inputs from videos, images or other visual sources.
Computer Vision Skill Requirement
| Tool Skills | Core Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Python | Computer Science Fundamentals |
| 2. | Computer Vision Libraries (Open CV,YOLO) | Mathematics & Statistics |
| 3. | Deep Learning | Linguistic Principles |
| 4. | ML OPS | |
| 5. | Git, Github | |
| 6. | Machine Learning |
Salary of a Computer Vision Engineer (Earning Comparison in US, UK, Canada and Australia)
The salary of a Computer Vision Engineer in the US ranges $124K – $224K per annum, with an average of $165k per annum.
Below is a summary of a Salary of a Computer Vision Engineer in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia.
| USA | UK | Canada | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary Range (per annum) | $124K - $224K | £47 - £72K | CAD 71K - 111K | $90K - 118K |
| Average Salary Range (per annum) | $165 | £60K | CAD 93K | $100K |
6. AI Ethicist
An AI Ethicist works with other AI professionals designing AI products and services to make sure that they work with regulatory, legal and ethical limits. It is a non-technical role.
An AI Ethicist ensure that all moral, legal and regulatory principles are considered in the development and deployment of AI products.
AI Ethicist Skills Requirements
The skills requirement for an AI Ethicist are as follows:
| Tool Skills | Core Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | AI/ML know hows | Customer empathy |
| 2. | Communication tools | Business understanding |
| 3. | Data Privacy tools | Stakeholder Management |
| 4. | Regulatory Compliance tools | Communication |
| 5. | Ethical Reasoning | |
| 6. | Regulatory knowledge |
Salary of an AI Ethicist (Earning Comparison in US, UK, Canada and Australia)
The salary of an AI Ethicist in the US ranges $75K – $130K with an average of $86k per annum. UK, Canada and Australia are shown in the table below.
| USA | UK | Canada | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary Range (per annum) | $75K - $130K | £48K – £64K | CAD 80K - 126K | $82K - $140K |
| Average Salary Range (per annum) | $86K | £55K | CAD 100K | $115K |
7. ML OPS Engineer
Machine Learning OPS Engineering combines DevOps Software Engineering skills with Machine Learning tools and techniques. They work on the operation and management of ML models, algorithms and processes.
An ML OPS Engineer will typically be involved in setting up CI/CD pipelines for Machine Learning projects. And will often be with other AI Professionals like Data Scientist, Developers and non technical teams like the sales and marketing team.
ML OPS Engineer Skills Requirements
The skills that are required for the job of an ML OPS Engineer are as follows:
| Tool Skills | Core Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Python | Computer Science Fundamentals |
| 2. | Git, Github | Communications |
| 3. | CI/CD Pipelines | System Design/Architecture |
| 4. | Cloud Services and APIs | Security/Compliance |
| 5. | Machine Learning Frameworks |
Salary of an ML OPS Engineer (Earning Comparison in US, UK, Canada and Australia)
The salary an ML OPS Engineer in the US ranges $123K -$180K with an average of $146K.
The table below shows a comparison of the salary of an ML OPS in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia.
| USA | UK | Canada | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary Range (per annum) | $123K - $180K | £43K - £64K | CAD 74K- 110K | $89K -$164K |
| Average Salary Range (per annum) | $148K | £55K | CAD 98K | $126K |
8. AI Sales Executives
AI Sales Executive is a non-technical AI Job role that combines knowledge of AI products knowledge and sales skills.
It is a marketing roles that requires making sales pitches, presentation, customer acquisitions for AI products and taking feedback to the technical team/product team.
AI Sales Executives Skills Requirements
| Tool Skills | Core Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | AI/ML know hows | Communication |
| 2. | Communication tools | Negotiation skills |
| 3. | CRM tools(Salesforce, HubSpot) | Business understanding |
| 4. | Sales Automation tools | Stakeholder Management |
| 5. | Proposal & Contract Management tools(DocuSign and Adobe Sign) | Product Vision and Strategy |
| 6. | Excel/Power BI |
Salary of an AI Sales Executive
The Salary of an AI Sales Executive in the US ranges from $78K -162K per annum (according data I culled from Linkedin job listing.)
Conclusion
The top AI jobs include both technical and non-technical jobs roles. The technical AI job roles include AI/ML Engineer, NLP Engineer, Data Scientist, Computer Vision Engineer, ML OPS Engineer. The non technical roles include AI Product Manager, AI Ethicist and AI Sales Executive.
See 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Careers In AI
Resource Credit : https://codebasics.io
