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What is an artificial intelligence specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Carol Flinchbaugh Ph.D.

Artificial Intelligence is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world as the demand for smarter machine programming grows. The demand for artificial intelligence specialists alone is set to grow about 9% by 2028. As long as companies want AI, they will need artificial intelligence specialists to program computers.

Artificial intelligence specialists can specialize in a variety of routes within the world of artificial intelligence. For example, they can program cognitive simulations in order to use computers to test how the human brain works or work in applied AI, which uses the principles of artificial intelligence to solve a variety of problems.

Entering this growing field requires a strong base of knowledge. Many artificial intelligence specialists have master's degrees and spend years studying computer programming. The years of hard work pay off with flexibility, as artificial intelligence specialists can find jobs in many places. They can work in the finance industry, in a university research center, and even in the military.

What general advice would you give to an artificial intelligence specialist?

Carol Flinchbaugh Ph.D.Carol Flinchbaugh Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor of Management, New Mexico State University

I always remind students entering today’s workforce they will have anywhere from 6-8 careers. Not jobs, careers. That is the age we are living in with such fast technological advances. They need to have an understanding as to how and when their careers will change based on generative AI. That said, there are many industries – especially in customer service-related jobs – where job roles won’t change so quickly.
ScoreArtificial Intelligence SpecialistUS Average
Salary
9.0

Avg. Salary $151,994

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.5

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 5.06%

Black or African American 10.22%

Hispanic or Latino 11.29%

Unknown 5.97%

White 66.95%

Gender

female 9.09%

male 90.91%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
5.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an artificial intelligence specialist

  1. Explore artificial intelligence specialist education requirements

    Most common artificial intelligence specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    63.3 %

    Master's

    16.7 %

    High School Diploma

    10.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific artificial intelligence specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Java97.23%
    Artificial Intelligence Techniques2.77%
  3. Complete relevant artificial intelligence specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New artificial intelligence specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an artificial intelligence specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real artificial intelligence specialist resumes.
  4. Research artificial intelligence specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the human capital logistics, resources, (to include budget) and safety programs.
    • Provide authoritative advice and assistance to logistics representatives both locally and foreign and manages personnel to ensure objectives are meet.
    • Experience fusing intelligence products from multiple disciplines including SIGINT, GEOINT, HUMINT and OSINT.
    • Prepare threat assessments for DHS senior managers nationally and overseas.
  5. Prepare your artificial intelligence specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your artificial intelligence specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an artificial intelligence specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable artificial intelligence specialist resume templates

    Build a professional artificial intelligence specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your artificial intelligence specialist resume.
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist Resume
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for artificial intelligence specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an artificial intelligence specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first artificial intelligence specialist job

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Average artificial intelligence specialist salary

The average artificial intelligence specialist salary in the United States is $151,994 per year or $73 per hour. Artificial intelligence specialist salaries range between $78,000 and $293,000 per year.

Average artificial intelligence specialist salary
$151,994 Yearly
$73.07 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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