Ai/ml Engineer
$114,528
avg. annual salary
Java Developer
pays more on average
Java Developer
$117,797
avg. annual salary
In today's tech-driven world, the demand for specialized roles in software development is higher than ever. Among these roles, AI/ML Engineers and Java Developers are prominent, each offering unique career paths and earning potential. Understanding the salary landscape of these professions can help you make informed career decisions. This article delves into the average salaries, benefits, and growth opportunities for both AI/ML Engineers and Java Developers. Whether you're considering a career shift or just curious about industry standards, this comparison will provide valuable insights into the current job market and what to expect from each profession.
Salary by Experience Level
starting salary
starting salary
avg. difference (3%)
Average Salaries
As of 2025, the average salary for an AI/ML Engineer is approximately $125,000, with a salary range typically between $100,000 and $150,000. In contrast, Java Developers earn an average salary of about $95,000, with salaries ranging from $75,000 to $120,000.
The disparity in salaries can be attributed to the complexity and specialization of AI/ML roles, which often require advanced education and technical skills.
Benefits Comparison
Both AI/ML Engineers and Java Developers enjoy comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. However, AI/ML Engineers may receive additional perks like funding for conferences and advanced education opportunities, given the rapid evolution of their field.
Java Developers generally benefit from a more stable work environment, as Java is a widely-used language in enterprises.
Career Path Opportunities
AI/ML Engineers often find themselves in cutting-edge roles, working on innovative projects involving data science and artificial intelligence. As they gain experience, they can advance to positions like Data Scientist or AI Architect.
Java Developers, on the other hand, have a more traditional career path, moving from Developer to Senior Developer, and potentially to roles like Software Architect or DevOps Engineer. Both paths offer opportunities for high earning potential and career advancement.
Skill Requirements
To excel as an AI/ML Engineer, one typically needs a strong foundation in statistics, machine learning frameworks, and programming languages such as Python or R. In contrast, Java Developers should be proficient in Java, along with frameworks like Spring and Hibernate.
Both roles require problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in teams.
Job Market Demand
The job market for AI/ML Engineers is expanding rapidly, with a projected growth rate of over 20% annually. This growth is driven by increasing investments in AI technologies across various industries.
Java Developers, while also in demand, see a steadier growth rate of about 8%, reflecting the enduring need for solid software development skills across sectors.
Detailed Comparison: Compensation Drivers and Real-World Examples
Salary differences between AI/ML engineers and Java developers come from responsibilities, skill depth, and market demand. In the U.
S. , median base pay for AI/ML engineers typically falls between $120,000 and $165,000, with top roles in San Francisco or New York reaching $190,000–$240,000.
Java developers often range from $95,000 to $130,000, with senior backend engineers in major hubs earning $140,000–$170,000. That means AI/ML roles can pay about 20–40% more on average.
Key factors that raise pay:
- •Industry: Finance and healthcare AI roles often add 10–25% premiums versus ad tech or education.
- •Experience: A mid-level ML engineer (3–5 years) can command 10–30% more than a Java peer with similar tenure if they deliver production models.
- •Skills: ML salaries jump when candidates show end-to-end pipelines, model monitoring, and PyTorch or TensorFlow experience. Java salaries rise with microservices, Spring Boot, and cloud architecture expertise.
Real actions to boost salary:
- •For AI/ML: complete 2–3 production projects, learn PyTorch + a cloud ML service, and target a 10–20% raise when interviewing.
- •For Java: build scalable microservices, earn an AWS or Kubernetes cert, and highlight 3 production systems to push offers up 8–15%.