Explosive growth in AI and ML fuels expertise demand

AI and machine learning are reshaping the job market, leading to higher incentives being offered to attract and retain skilled professionals amid talent shortages.

Harnham, a leading data and analytics recruitment agency in the UK, has reported a steady rise in demand for ML engineering roles over the past few years. Recently, there has been a shift towards MLOps professionals who can bridge the gap between data scientists and data engineers, optimizing the deployment of ML models.

The report by Harnham provides valuable insights into the salaries and day rates of various data science roles across the UK. Technical leads and managers in computer vision, data science, deep learning & AI, ML engineering, MLOps, and natural language processing are earning annual base salaries ranging from £44,000 to £120,000, depending on experience and location.

In addition to competitive compensation, data science professionals are seeking specific benefits to enhance their job satisfaction. The top five desirable benefits include remote working options, bonuses, health insurance, flexible working hours, and shares. These perks play a crucial role in attracting and retaining top talent in the data science sector.

The report also highlights some critical trends and statistics in the industry. For instance, 25 percent of professionals cited a non-competitive salary as the top reason for leaving a role, followed by a lack of career progression (24%) and the availability of a “better opportunity” (22%).

On a positive note, the number of female professionals in the field has increased from 22 percent last year, indicating a positive shift towards greater gender diversity in data science.

As AI and ML continue to advance, professionals in the field are eager to explore new opportunities. Data science professionals are reported to be the most likely to leave their current roles if the right opportunity arises. The ongoing talent shortage means that relevant expertise is in high demand, creating numerous opportunities for data professionals.

Overall, the rapid evolution of AI and ML is creating exciting new job opportunities, and companies must adapt to attract and retain top talent in this thriving field. As the demand for data professionals continues to surge, offering competitive compensation and desirable benefits will be key to staying competitive in the job market.