Career in Artificial Intelligence AI in the USA for Fresh Grads

The Artificial Intelligence sector has witnessed a boom in the past few years. In 2022, more than 120 countries passed AI-related laws to reflect the global need for AI regulation. AI is rapidly becoming a massive source of employment as more businesses adapt to AI-based systems. 

A career in Artificial Intelligence can get you an average initial salary of INR 62.09 lakhs/year to INR 1.27 crores/year or more. Machine learning engineer, big data scientist, software engineer, AI product manager, etc, are some roles you can explore to build a career in AI in the USA. 

Read the full blog below to know more. 

Is a career in AI a good choice?

Whether AI is a good career for you is debatable. In this blog, we have discussed different job roles, salaries, skill requirements, and more information related to a career in AI. 

But before you get into the details of it all, look at these numbers about a career in Artificial Intelligence:

• AI is estimated to create about 97 million new global job opportunities by 2030.
• Additionally, over 12 million occupational transitions will be needed towards AI-oriented jobs by 2030. 
• Job openings in AI-related fields are increasing by 32% per year, globally.
• In the last ten years, the global corporate investment in Artificial Intelligence has increased by 13 times.
• In the USA, machine learning engineers earn an average annual salary of INR 95.95 lakhs.
• As of 2022, 127 countries have passed AI-related laws. This reflects the global need for AI regulation. 
• In recent years, the information sector in the USA has witnessed the highest demand for AI professionals and has driven much of the growth. 
• Institutions like Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are pivotal in AI innovation in the USA. These institutions attract a significant portion of AI talent globally. 
• In 2022, New York posted 66,624, and California posted 1,42,154 job openings. 
• 35% of companies in the USA have now embedded AI across business functions such as product development, supply chain management, etc. 

These numbers show a promising present and future for a career in Artificial Intelligence. 

Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students 2024

Overview of AI jobs and careers 

There are many job roles and career opportunities in the field of AI. Here are the top 10 roles that you can explore:

Machine Learning (ML) Engineer

A machine learning engineer implements and develops algorithms, enabling machines to improve or learn new things autonomously using data. ML engineers focus on reinforcement, unsupervised, and supervised learning techniques. 

Leveraging big data tools, creating scalable data science models, and programming frameworks for creating models are some of the other responsibilities that ML Engineers handle. They should be skilled in deep learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), computer vision, Python, image processing, etc. 

To get a job as an ML engineer, you must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or a relevant field. You must have strong coding skills in Java, Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc.

The average base salary of a machine learning engineer is INR 1.01 crores/ year, with an average initial salary of INR 82.5 lakhs per year. In 1-4 years, an ML engineer can earn INR 1 crore per year and about INR 1.27 crores or more in 5-9 years. 

Data Scientist

A data scientist guides decision-making by extracting, analyzing, and interpreting large datasets. They combine machine learning, data mining, and statistical analysis to come up with actionable business insights. 

The work of a data scientist may sometimes involve basic tasks like identifying anomalies in a data series or complex tasks like making recommendations by predicting future events. They must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in statistics, computer science, or data science. A data scientist must hold expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, programming (Python, R), etc.

The base average salary of a data scientist is INR 85.4 lakhs per year, with an initial average salary of INR 74 lakhs per year. With a few years of experience, a data scientist can earn INR 1.16 crores per year or more in the USA.

AI Research Scientist

An Artificial Intelligence research scientist conducts research to create new cutting-edge technologies or improve the existing AI models. They contribute to product innovation and academic research. 

An AI research scientist must hold a Ph.D. in machine learning, artificial intelligence, or computer science. They must also be experts in or have extensive experience in mathematics, deep learning, machine learning, computer vision, NLP, and statistics.

The average base salary of an AI research scientist is INR 1.22 crores per year, with an average initial salary of INR 1.04 crores per year. With more experience, the salary can reach INR 1.1 crores per annum or more.

Business Intelligence (BI) Developer

A business intelligence developer analyzes data to develop and enhance business strategies. BI developers provide solutions for business decision-making by using Artificial Intelligence to forecast trends and automate processes. 

A BI developer may monitor the stock market for a financial services company and make investment decisions. In a product company, a BI developer may monitor sales trends to create a distribution strategy. 

The minimum qualification for a business intelligence developer is a bachelor’s degree in IT or computer science. They must hold expertise in SQL, databases, and data analytics platforms. 

The average base salary for a BI developer in the USA is INR 74.6 lakhs per year, with an average initial salary of INR 57 lakhs per year. With experience and skill enhancement, they can earn INR 93.6 lakhs per year or more.

Robotics Engineer

As the name suggests, a robotics engineer builds and designs robotic systems. They enable autonomous functionality in robots by integrating AI algorithms. These robots or robotic systems are used in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, space exploration, etc. 

Employers require an advanced degree in robotics, computer science, mechanical engineering, or a relevant field for such a role. They must also have expertise in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, software development, computer vision, Matlab, etc. 

The average base salary of a robotics engineer in the USA is INR 79.9 lakhs per year, with an initial average salary of INR 69.7 lakhs per year. Companies like Tesla, NASA, and Hirotec America hire robotics engineers.

NLP (Natural Language Processing) Engineer

A Natural Language Processing engineer enables machines to interpret, understand, and respond to human language. Developing chatbots, translation software, and voice recognition systems. 

An NLP Engineer must hold a degree in computer science, linguistics, Artificial Intelligence, or a relevant field that focuses on NLP techniques and tools. The engineers must also have computational skills, semantic extraction techniques, modeling, data structures, statistical analysis, etc., and expertise in tools like NLTK and spaCy.

The average base salary of a Natural Language Processing Engineer is INR 1 crore per annum, with an initial average wage of INR 66.3 lakhs per annum.

AI Product Manager

An AI product manager’s responsibilities include:

• Overseeing the development of AI-driven products
• Collaborating with data scientists, engineers, and marketers to deploy AI solutions that meet user demands 
• Serving as a liaison between implementation/ development teams and stakeholders

An AI product manager must hold a degree in engineering, computer science, business, or a relevant field. Companies also require candidates to have expertise in product management, AI technologies, business strategies, product development, Agile software development, cyber securities, etc. 

In the USA, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) product manager can earn an average base salary of INR 1.32 crores per annum.

Computer Vision Engineer

A computer vision engineer enables machines to interpret visual data from images and videos using Artificial Intelligence. Their responsibilities include:

• Developing facial recognition applications, healthcare imaging, autonomous driving, etc.
• Testing and debugging to maintain algorithms and hardware
• Creating algorithms that enable systems to recognize objects, patterns, and scenes 
• Collaborating with other teams to implement architectures in existing machines and programs
• Gathering computer vision algorithms to optimize analytics
• Building documentation for the computer vision systems

A computer vision engineer must hold degrees in AI, electrical engineering, computer science, or a relevant field. They must hold strong skills in OpenCV, Python, deep learning, C++ Programming Language, computer vision, etc.

Computer vision engineers earn an average base salary of INR 1.03 crores per year in the USA. Their average initial salary can be INR 86.8 lakhs per annum or more.

Big Data Engineer

A big data engineer enables various technologies and business verticals to communicate effectively with the ecosystems. Unlike data scientists, big data engineers are more involved and work towards developing, designing, and planning big data environments. 

Companies hiring big data engineers usually look for a Ph.D. in computer science, mathematics, or a relevant field. The engineers must hold expertise in Spark systems, Hadoop, Scala, Python, Java, C++, etc.

The average base salary of a big data engineer in the USA is INR 76.4 lakhs per year. With experience and skills, they can earn INR 1.28 crores per year or more.

Software Engineer

A software engineer creates effective applications or software based on a project’s requirements. Using their analytical skills, software engineers design codes, scripts, and programs to run a variety of system environments efficiently. In collaboration with other software specialists, software engineers deploy products in a timely manner. 

Major responsibilities of a software engineer include:

• Researching, designing, and developing computer information systems
• Collaborating with multiple teams to analyze coding requirements and ensure product quality
• Maintaining existing programs within a computer system
• Reducing memory consumption in the programming processes
• Staying updated with the current software techniques and technologies

To become a software engineer, one must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or statistics. In the USA, software engineers can earn an initial base salary of INR 66 lakhs per annum.

The salary estimates we’ve given until now can vary greatly depending on which university you graduate from and the city where you secure a job. That’s why, when choosing a program, it’s important to consider factors like return on investment (ROI), placement records, and the strength of the alumni network. Comparing programs on so many levels can be challenging, but SelectRight (by GradRight) makes it easy.

Here’s how SelectRight works:

1. Create a free profile with your academic background, career goals, and preferences.
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3. Get insights into the ROI, placement rates, and alumni network of various programs.
4. Evaluate your shortlisted programs based on key factors such as career outcomes and location.
5. Receive expert advice to help make the best decision for your future.

Start using SelectRight today and ensure you choose a program that maximizes your career potential.

Also Read: Top Universities in the USA for MS in Computer Science: Rankings, Fees, Eligibility & More

What skills do you need to land an entry-level AI position?

Every AI-related job role may require skills different from those of an entry-level position. Here are some top job roles and their required skills that you can explore:

Also Read: STEM Courses in the USA: Top Universities, Eligibility & More

Which industries are hiring AI professionals?

According to Stanford HAI, the information sector in the USA witnessed the highest demand for AI professionals in recent years, driving much of the job market’s growth.  

Tech companies, the healthcare industry, the finance and banking sectors, manufacturing and robotics, retail and e-commerce, and the automotive sectors are actively hiring AI professionals for high-paying roles. 

Here are some top roles and companies that are hiring AI professionals: 

Source: Payscale 

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