FEB 2025 RESEARCH REPORT
AI and SWE compensation
Skill-based premiums, sign-on bonus, new hire equity, and TDC
Insights from 50,000 offers at 100+ companies reveal a shifting demand for AIE and SWE comp, hiring dynamics, and how companies compete for top talent.
Why it matters:
With AI investments skyrocketing, comp is increasing and talent is in demand—compensation leaders need to stay ahead of rising premiums, market shifts, and skills-based pay to be competitive.
Key insights:
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Since 2023, AIEs are paid 10-15% more than SWEs on base salary.
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AIE equity premiums outpaced base salary premiums on a company-weighted basis.
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At the P3 level, skill premiums vs. Software Engineering reach +69% for PyTorch, +81% for Scikit-Learn, and +100% for Large Language Models for total direct compensation.
- Sign-on bonus prevalence for specific AI/ML skills ranges from ~30% to 60%.
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