Deep Learning Salary: Your 2025 Guide

If you are considering a career in deep learning, you may be interested to know what kind of deep learning salary you could expect. One career decision you’ll make that will impact how much you earn is what kind of job within the field of deep learning you want to pursue. Other factors that affect how much you earn include what industry you work in, what company you choose, and where you live in the United States. 

Explore some of the options you’ll have in the deep learning field and the average deep learning salary for different job titles like deep learning engineer, machine learning engineer, or natural language processing engineer. 

What is deep learning? 

Deep learning is a type of machine learning that uses deep neural networks and allows computers to think in a way similar to humans. Deep neural networks are AI models with many hidden layers where information passes through connections of nodes that act like the human brain. Each node can interact with the input data differently and pass the manipulated data on to the next layer. Each layer adds another dimension to how the algorithm can work with data, so adding many layers allows the AI model to understand and react to data in more complex ways. Deep learning careers often refer to deep learning engineers. 

What is a deep learning engineer? 

Similar to a machine learning engineer, deep learning engineers use deep learning AI algorithms to create solutions to real-world problems. While deep learning is a form of machine learning, machine learning usually refers to more straightforward, less computationally complex AI algorithms than those you’ll use in deep learning. As a deep learning engineer, you may work on projects involving computer vision, speech and facial recognition, natural language processing, and data analysis, among other possibilities. 

Deep learning engineer salary and job outlook

As a deep learning engineer in the United States, you can earn an average base salary of $130,163, according to Glassdoor [1]. Glassdoor reports an additional average pay of $58,865, which could include cash bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing, or tips. This brings the total average pay to $189,028 for a deep learning engineer in the US. 

While the US Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t report on the job outlook for deep learning engineers specifically, you may include them in the category of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. The agency reports that this job category will rise by 17 percent between 2023 and 2033[2]. 

However, that figure alone doesn’t fully capture the exciting possibilities that lie ahead for careers in deep learning. Grand View Research reports that the deep learning market in the US (valued at $14.97 billion in 2023) will grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 22 percent through the year 2030 [3]. This helps demonstrate the rate of growth in the field and the positive outlook for professionals with deep learning skills. 

*All salary data as of January 2025

Deep learning careers

With a background of deep learning skills and experience, you may be able to work in a job role that differs slightly from that of a deep learning engineer. A few examples of job titles you may hold include deep learning research analyst, machine learning engineer, or natural language processing engineer. 

Deep learning research analyst

Average base salary in the US (Glassdoor): $126,751 [4]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 26 percent [5]

Education requirements: You will need to earn a bachelor’s degree, and you may consider earning a master’s degree as well. Potential areas to study include machine learning, deep learning, robotics, mathematics, and data science. 

As a deep learning research scientist, you will be a machine learning researcher working specifically on projects involving deep learning. You will use deep learning concepts to solve real-world problems, or you’ll research deep learning itself and find ways to make this technology even more powerful and effective. 

Machine learning engineer

Average base salary in the US (Glassdoor): $122,743 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 26 percent [5]

Education requirements: Generally, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, machine learning, or a related field. 

As a machine learning engineer, you will also use AI algorithms to solve real-world problems. The main difference between a machine learning engineer and a deep learning engineer is that machine learning tends to refer to problems that require simple, less computationally powerful solutions than the problems that deep learning engineers work on. 

Natural language processing engineer

Average base salary in the US (Glassdoor): $123,286 [8]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 36 percent [9]

Education requirements: Consider obtaining an associate or bachelor's degree in a related field like engineering, data science, or computer science. For higher-level roles, a master's degree in data science or artificial intelligence, or a PhD in natural language processing (NLP), may be preferred or required.

As a natural language processing engineer, you will use deep learning to design AI models that recognize and respond appropriately to human language in written or spoken form. You will work with a team of other professionals to create software or software solutions, and your part of the job will be to add NLP functionality to the device. This includes testing and training the model to respond appropriately. You will also communicate your findings to both your technical team and non-technical stakeholders and leadership. 

How to earn more as a deep learning engineer

If you want to increase your salary as a deep learning engineer, consider pursuing one of the higher-paid positions above. Alternatively, you could build a portfolio and improve your resume and skills to qualify for a higher-paying position. 

Gain experience

Sometimes, you can qualify for higher-paying jobs after you’ve had a chance to gain some experience in an entry-level deep learning position. Glassdoor reports that the base salary for a deep learning engineer can vary by experience, such as [1]: 

• 0–1 years: $111,557

• 1–3 years: $117,423

• 4–6 years: $125,507

• 7–9 years: $133,315 

• 10–14 years: $144,960

• 15+ years: $153,114

Explore different industries

Another reason you might be able to qualify for a higher-paying job is by exploring some of the different industries that employ deep-learning engineers. Glassdoor also offers insight into how the average annual salary you can expect will change based on the industry you’re working in [1]: 

• Legal: $124,142 

• Aerospace and defense: $138,079

• Agriculture: $152,008 

• Arts and entertainment: $146,505

• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: $144,545

• Management and consulting: $137,739

• Construction: $136,778

• Education: $131,036

• Financial services: $151,208

• Health care: $148,714

• Manufacturing: $142,039

• Energy, mining, and utilities: $148,786

Compare companies 

A third way to earn a higher salary is to shop around for employees. Some companies pay a higher average median salary to deep learning engineers than others. Explore the insight Glassdoor offers [1]: 

• Intel Corporation: $220,000 

• NVIDIA: $258,000

• Micron Technology: $181,000

• TuSimple: $190,000

• Visteon: $151,000

• Matroid: $165,000

• Scotty Labs: $164,000

• IBM: $181,000

• Deloitte: $144,000

• Magic Leap: $172,000

Learn skills for your deep learning career on Coursera

Deep learning is a field where you can create and design deep neural networks to solve real-world problems. If you want to learn more about deep learning and explore job-ready skills to help you launch a career, explore the Deep Learning Specialization offered by Deep Learning.AI on Coursera. You can learn more about artificial neural networks, convolutional neural networks, and recurrent neural networks, as well as build toward a degree.