Jobs in AI: Get a $29,480 salary boost vs PhD

In the high-stakes world of artificial intelligence (AI), certain skills are commanding salaries that rival — and often surpass — those of the most advanced degrees. 

A recent study by StoryChief.io reveals that mastering specific programming languages like Rust and Golang can catapult an AI specialist's salary far beyond what even a PhD offers.

Rust: The $30K game-changer

If you can code in Rust, you’re sitting on a goldmine. AI job postings that list Rust as a requirement come with an average salary boost of $29,480—more than seven times the increase associated with a doctoral degree. 

Golang, Google’s open-source programming language, follows closely with a $21,080 premium.

Other lucrative skills include deep learning, Python, PyTorch, and Scala, each adding thousands to an applicant's paycheck.

But not all skills are created equal. 

Tools like MATLAB, Keras, and clustering drag salaries down by $8,826 – $12,990 below average. While these tools remain valuable, they’re often linked to less competitive pay brackets.

The experience factor: $56K for 15 Years

In the AI field, experience is king.

Professionals with over 15 years of relevant work can expect a staggering $56,790 salary bump, while those with 10 to 15 years under their belt earn $41,430 more than average. 

For those with five to 10 years of experience, the increase is a still-impressive $19,700.

AI jobs and salaries

The European Institute of Management and Technology listed the following AI-related jobs and salaries (annual salary) in the US, as per Glassdoor.

AI Research Scientist: $155,443

Deep Learning Engineer: $141,435

AI Product Manager: $128,091 

Machine Learning Engineer: $109,143 

Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer: $86,193.

Data Scientist: $65,674

However, for early-career AI specialists with less than five years of experience, the financial picture is less rosy. Salaries tend to fall $2,086 below average, reflecting the industry's premium on seasoned talent.

While advanced education remains important, the study highlights that specific, high-demand skills can level the playing field for aspiring AI professionals, offering lucrative opportunities even for beginners.

Modest rewards

Higher education still matters but pales in comparison to technical skills and experience. 

A master’s degree adds a modest $1,534 annually, while a PhD boosts salaries by $3,951. Surprisingly, jobs requiring only a bachelor’s degree tend to pay $8,756 less than the national average, making advanced degrees less impactful than once thought.

Valeri Potchekailov, CEO of StoryChief.io, reflects on this surprising trend:
“While having relevant experience is the clearest factor dictating pay, it is unfair on younger talent keen to see their abilities rewarded appropriately. We sought to identify AI-related skills that could be mastered quickly, resulting in higher pay.

“Surprisingly, even the highest level of education is currently valued about 7.5 times less than knowing how to code in Rust, for example. AI is an incredibly fast-paced environment.”

He said employers appreciate certain specific skills sometimes more than having a particular degree.

“This is refreshing news and opens the door to AI enthusiasts from all walks of life.”

Where AI job pay is highest

California leads the pack when it comes to AI job salaries, with an average annual pay of $150,110. Close behind is Washington, which offers an impressive average salary of $143,570 per year for AI specialists.

These figures highlight both states as lucrative destinations for professionals in the growing AI industry.