AI Safety Research Scientist Salary

How much does a AI Safety Research Scientist earn across different locations, education levels, & career stages?

An AI Safety Research Scientist works to make sure AI systems are safe and follow human values. They:

  • Plan how advanced AI should work
  • Find ways to reduce AI's possible harms

For example, These scientists test AI decisions to make sure the AI can not be misled into doing dangerous things.

In the previous five years, AI safety research funding has increased over 400%. Big tech companies such as OpenAI, DeepMind, and Anthropic have begun hiring dedicated AI safety teams. With increased capabilities like 25,000 word processing on GPT-4, safety research is becoming increasingly critical.

the role of AI Safety Research Scientist

What is the average base salary?

**This data is based on the salaries of jobs we post and is updated every five months.**
 Location
 Full-Time
 Part-Time
 Remote
 Entry - Senior
Massachusetts
125000
80000
100000
$84,000 - $140,000
New York
135000
87000
110000
$90,000 - $150,000
California
145000
90000
115000
$92,000 - $160,000
Washington
130000
85000
105000
$88,000 - $145,000

Min. Qualifications

PhD or Master's in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field; strong publication record in AI safety or alignment.

What You Need to Know

What skills are needed to become an AI Safety Research Scientist?

You need knowledge of machine learning, coding (e.g., Python), and math. It is also helpful to understand ethics, logic, and decision-making. Most people in this role hold a PhD, but having a strong portfolio helps as well. Work that involves research and the practical application of AI tools is extremely helpful.

How is the job outlook for AI Safety Research Scientists?

As AI advances and becomes even more powerful, the need is increasing sharply. Leading technology companies and research centers are employing more safety experts every year. According to some reports, since 2022, there has been a 35% increase in AI safety job postings. Over the next decade, this field is expected to gradually grow.

What are some real-world examples of AI safety issues?

There has been proof of racial bias in AI-generated images and wrong recommendations for medical care. Some models have been fooled into providing answers that are dangerous and harmful. These challenges highlight the need for performing safety testing prior to public deployment. Resolving these kinds of issues is the priority AI safety scientists seek to address.

More AI Safety Job Salaries

AI Safety Engineer

Builds safety-focused infrastructure & tools for monitoring systems, earning $105,000–165,000.

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