Machine Learning Engineer Salary in India: 2024 Trends

Who Is a Machine Learning Engineer?

A Machine Learning Engineer specializes in designing, implementing, and maintaining machine learning systems. Their role involves applying various algorithms and techniques to analyze large datasets, extract insights, and develop predictive models. Machine learning engineers typically possess strong programming, mathematics, and statistics skills, as well as a deep understanding of machine learning algorithms and frameworks.

ML engineers work closely with data scientists, software engineers, and other stakeholders to deploy machine learning solutions that address specific business needs or research objectives. Additionally, they often engage in tasks such as data preprocessing, feature engineering, model training, optimization, and evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of machine learning systems.

Responsibilities of a Machine Learning Engineer

• Data preprocessing: Cleaning, transforming, and preparing datasets for model training.
• Model development: Selecting appropriate algorithms, tuning hyperparameters, and building machine learning models.
• Model evaluation: Assessing model performance using relevant metrics and validating against test datasets.
• Deployment: Integrating ML models into production systems or applications.
• Monitoring and maintenance: Monitoring model performance in production, troubleshooting issues, and updating models as needed.
• Collaboration: Working with data scientists, software engineers, and domain experts to understand requirements and integrate machine learning solutions into various applications.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in India

The future trends of machine learning engineer salaries in India show a promising trajectory. According to data from PayScale, in India, the average machine learning engineer salary in 2024 is approximately ₹8,29,751 per year, with salaries ranging from ₹3,48,000 to ₹20,00,000, including bonuses and profit-sharing.

Experience is an important factor in salary levels, with entry-level positions starting around ₹5,01,058, mid-level positions at ₹11,42,459, and experienced positions reaching up to ₹19,99,619. The demand for machine learning engineers across various industries and regions continues to drive salary growth, with significant variances based on experience, location, and skill set. 

The global perspective also underscores the lucrative nature of the machine learning field, with salaries in the US and UK significantly higher than those in India, although the demand in India remains strong, with average salaries between ₹10,19,891 and ₹11,53,051 according to Indeed and Glassdoor data.

Average Machine Learning Engineer Salary in India

The average machine learning expert salary is approximately ₹8,33,719 per year. The salary range typically starts from ₹3,48,000 and can go up to ₹20,00,000, including additional compensation such as bonuses, profit sharing, and commission, which can vary from ₹29,000 to ₹4,96,000, ₹10,000 to ₹10,00,000, and ₹4,000 to ₹24,000 respectively​​.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in India Based on Experience

Entry-Level Machine Learning Engineer Salary in India

The salary range for those just starting begins from ₹3,00,000 and goes up to ₹8,00,000, depending on the specific role and location within India. Entry-level positions often require strong foundational skills in Python and C++ and a background in machine learning or natural language processing​​.

Mid-Level Machine Learning Engineer Salary in India

Mid-level professionals with a few years of experience can expect salaries between ₹8,00,000 and ₹16,00,000, depending on their specific expertise, skills, and the employers.

Experienced Machine Learning Engineer Salary in India

For highly experienced professionals, salaries can be quite competitive, reaching up to ₹20,00,000 to ₹25,00,000 for roles demanding extensive expertise in machine learning, deep learning, and related technologies​​.

Machine Learning Salary in India: Based on Location

Salaries can differ between cities due to variations in the cost of living and demand for ML professionals. Here's a general overview of machine learning salaries in the specified cities in India:

1. Bangalore

• According to Glassdoor, the average salary is ₹11,50,628 per year, with additional cash compensation averaging ₹1,50,628. This additional cash compensation range is between ₹78,295 and ₹2,57,500.

• Another source from Glassdoor estimates the total pay for a machine learning engineer to be ₹11,57,259 per year, with an average base salary of ₹10,00,000.

• PayScale reports the average salary for a machine learning engineer in Bangalore, Karnataka, as ₹9,74,426 in 2024.

2. Chennai

• According to Glassdoor, the average machine learning engineer salary in Chennai is ₹8,00,000 per year, with an additional average cash compensation of ₹60,000. The range for this compensation varies from ₹38,657 to ₹1,00,000.
• Payscale reports that the salary for a machine learning engineer in Chennai is ₹7,68,560, with a base salary range of ₹3,89,000 to ₹20,00,000, bonuses ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹3,24,000.
• According to AmbitionBox, an entry-level machine learning engineer with under three years of experience typically earns around ₹5,40,000 annually. For mid-career professionals with 4-9 years of experience, the average salary increases to ₹10,60,000 per year. Experienced machine learning engineers with 10-20 years of experience earn an average of ₹15,10,000 per year.

3. Mumbai

• Another source states that a machine learning engineer's average salary in Mumbai is approximately ₹8,55,000 annually with approximately ₹2,00,000 in bonus.
• AmbitionBox provides a more detailed breakdown, reporting that junior machine learning engineer salary with less than three years of experience amounts to ₹7,80,000 per year, mid-career professionals with 4-9 years of experience average ₹11,50,000 per year, and those with 10-20 years of experience can earn around ₹18,30,000 annually.

4. Hyderabad

In Hyderabad, the salary for a machine learning engineer varies based on experience and specific employer, but here are some general figures for 2024:

• According to Glassdoor, the average salary is ₹12,50,000 per year, with additional cash compensation averaging ₹1,50,000, ranging from ₹74,000 to ₹2,20,000.

• Payscale reports a broader range, with the average salary at ₹6,75,001, base salaries ranging from ₹3,52,000 to ₹20,00,000, and bonuses from ₹29,000 to ₹2,06,000.

• AmbitionBox provides a detailed breakdown by experience: Entry-level engineers with less than three years of experience earn an average of ₹6,70,000 per year, mid-career engineers with 4-9 years of experience earn about ₹13,30,000 per year, and those with 10-20 years of experience earn approximately ₹17,00,000 per year.

5. Pune

• According to Payscale, the average salary is ₹7,12,683 per year, with a base salary range of ₹3,88,000 to ₹20,00,000. Additional compensation, such as bonuses, can range from ₹25,000 to ₹3,97,000, and profit sharing from ₹50,000 to ₹10,00,000.
• AmbitionBox reports that the average annual salary for a machine learning engineer in Pune with less than 1 year to 5 years of experience ranges from ₹3,00,000 to ₹15,00,000, with an average annual salary of ₹7,80,000 based on 974 responses.

6. Noida

In 2024, the estimated total pay for a machine learning engineer in Noida, India, is approximately ₹1,047,500 per year, with an average salary of ₹885,000 annually. These figures are median values, representing the midpoint of salary ranges based on user data.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Other Countries

The salary for machine learning engineers varies significantly across different countries, reflecting the demand for these professionals and the cost of living in each region. Here's a brief overview based on recent data:

1. Machine Learning Engineer Salary in the US

In the United States, the salary for a machine learning engineer can vary widely. According to Built In, the salary can go up to $240,000, with potential additional cash compensation. PayScale reports an average salary of $117,338, with the range typically between $82,000 to $159,000.

2. Machine Learning Engineer Salary in the UK

The average salary for a machine learning engineer is £72,883 annually in the United Kingdom. The additional cash compensation is £14,658, ranging from £5,928 to £36,244.

3. Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Australia

The average salary for a machine learning engineer is $130,823 in Australia. The average additional cash compensation is $12,000, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

4. Machine Learning Engineer salary in Canada

The typical annual salary for an ML engineer in Canada stands at CA$111,605. Additionally, the average extra cash compensation for this role is CA$14,418, varying between CA$6,774 and CA$30,686. These figures are derived from 445 anonymous salary submissions on Glassdoor by professionals working as Machine Learning Engineers in Canada.

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer?

1. Educational Background

• A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a related area is necessary. A solid grasp of mathematics, especially in linear algebra, calculus, probability, and statistics, is crucial.
• Consider seeking advanced degrees such as a master's or Ph.D. in disciplines like Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or related fields. While not mandatory, these higher qualifications offer the opportunity to gain profound theoretical understanding and valuable research expertise.

2. Learn Programming Languages and Tools

• Master programming languages commonly used in Machine Learning, such as Python and R. Python is particularly popular due to its extensive libraries for machine learning and data manipulation (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Familiarize yourself with data visualization libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn for interpreting and presenting results.
• Gain proficiency in using development environments like Jupyter Notebook or Google Colab for experimentation and prototyping.

3. Understand Machine Learning Concepts

• Study fundamental machine learning concepts such as supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement, and deep learning.
• Discover machine learning algorithms such as linear & logistic regression, decision trees, random forests, support vector machines, k-nearest neighbors, naive Bayes, and neural networks.
• Understand optimization techniques, regularization methods, and evaluation metrics used to assess model performance.

4. Practice with Real-world Projects

• Work on practical projects and challenges to apply theoretical knowledge. Platforms like Kaggle, GitHub, and UCI Machine Learning Repository offer datasets and competitions to practice machine learning skills.
• Begin with straightforward projects and progressively approach more intricate challenges. Concentrate on comprehending data preprocessing, feature engineering, model selection, and evaluation techniques.
• Engage with colleagues, join hackathons, and contribute to open-source initiatives to acquire hands-on experience and develop a professional portfolio.

5. Stay Updated and Continuously Learn

• Keep up to date with the newest developments in machine learning by staying informed through reading research papers, attending conferences like NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, and subscribing to pertinent blogs, forums, and newsletters.
• Take online courses, enroll in workshops, or attend boot camps to deepen your knowledge in specific areas of machine learning or gain expertise in new tools and techniques.
• Join professional communities, forums, or user groups to network with other ML engineers, share knowledge, and seek advice.

6. Develop Soft Skills

• Enhance communication and collaboration skills to effectively convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Cultivate problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and attention to detail to tackle challenging machine learning problems and optimize solutions.

7. Gain Practical Experience through Internships and Work

• Look for internship opportunities, cooperative education programs, or entry-level positions at companies or research laboratories. These positions offer valuable hands-on experience in tackling real-world machine learning projects.
• Leverage networking opportunities, career fairs, and online job boards to explore openings and connect with potential employers.
• Practice coding challenges, algorithm questions, and machine learning problems commonly asked in technical interviews.

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Conclusion

The trajectory of machine learning engineer salaries in India for the year 2024 showcases a promising outlook for professionals in this field. With an upward trend driven by the increasing demand for skilled AI and machine learning experts across industries, individuals with expertise in this domain can expect lucrative compensation packages and ample opportunities for career growth. However, aspiring machine learning engineers must recognize that along with technical proficiency, continuous learning and adaptability are crucial for sustained success in this dynamic field.

Individuals seeking to embark on a career in AI and machine learning can greatly benefit from structured educational programs tailored to the demands of the industry. One program worth considering is the Post Graduate Program in AI and Machine Learning, which provides comprehensive training and hands-on experience to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this rapidly evolving field.

FAQs

1. How much does a Machine Learning Engineer in India make?

The average salary for a machine learning engineer in India is approximately INR 7,00,000 per year, but it can vary widely based on experience, location, and the specific industry.

2. What is the lowest salary for a Machine Learning Engineer in India?

The lowest salary for a machine learning engineer in India can start from around INR 3,50,000 per year for entry-level positions, depending on the company and location.

3. How much is a machine learning engineer paid?

A machine learning engineer's pay varies globally, with salaries ranging from $70,000 to over $150,000 annually in the United States, depending on experience, skills, and location. In India, the salary is between INR 3,50,000 and INR 20,00,000 per year, with the average salary being around INR 7,00,000 per year.

4. Are machine learning engineers paid well?

Yes, machine learning engineers are generally paid well due to the high demand for their skills in developing intelligent systems and applications across various industries.

5. Is a machine learning engineering stressful job?

Yes, a career in machine learning engineering can be stressful due to the fast-paced environment, constant need for learning new technologies, high expectations for innovation, and sometimes challenging project deadlines.

6. Do AI engineers make a lot of money?

Yes, AI Engineers typically make a lot of money, with salaries often ranging from high five to six figures, reflecting the high demand and specialized skill set required in this field.