David personally handles comp benchmarking and negotiation on every Beacon search.
Real numbers from our own recent searches, not a generic survey. Here's what engineering roles have actually closed at this year.
See the numbers| Role | Total Comp | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy Engineer | $140K | Senior IC specialist |
| Software Engineer | $150K | Senior IC, data privacy specialization |
| AI/ML & Data Leadership | $185K | Manager-level, regulated data |
| Engineering Manager | $300K | Player-coach, Series A-C |
| VP of Engineering | $300K | Org-wide leadership |
These are actual placements, not a survey average, so treat them as real anchor points, not a full market curve. AI/ML and data leadership skills are commanding a premium on top of standard bands right now, driven by demand outpacing supply.
53% of US tech job postings now require AI or ML skills, up from 29% a year earlier. That demand shift is pulling comp up across the board, not just for pure AI/ML roles, because engineers with any AI-native fluency now have more leverage in every conversation.
Don't anchor your budget to last year's numbers. The market moved, and candidates know it.
David personally handles comp benchmarking and negotiation on every Beacon search.
Book a 15-minute call and get a comp benchmark based on real recent placements, not a generic survey.
Book a call