11 Reasons Why AI/Machine Learning Engineer Is the Top Career in 2025
If you want to become an AI/Machine Learning Engineer but you’re not sure if this career is right for you, you’re in the right place.
I’ve been a Machine Learning Engineer for 10 years, worked on 50 projects, and taught more than 500 students. I’ve seen both the pros and cons — and now I want to share the advantages. Click on the video link in order to get the full content.
High salary
If you look at salaries for AI developers, you’ll see that senior Machine Learning Engineers can earn as much as company executives, with much less responsibility. It’s one of the highest-paid careers in tech, and this is not likely to change.
In the U.S., salaries can reach $200,000 per year, and around the world, ML engineering is still among the top-paying jobs. In fact, some star AI researchers today earn more than famous football player.
It requires creativity
AI development is one of the most creative jobs in software engineering. Why? Because success often depends on your ideas and how you approach problems.
A smart data representation, a new algorithmic trick, or simply a fresh perspective can completely change the outcome compared to standard methods. There’s rarely one “correct” solution. You need to experiment, and combine coding, math, and creative thinking every day.
Exciting projects
What I enjoy most about machine learning is that I’ve built AI for so many different areas of life: medical diagnostics, clothing, power plants, online hate-speech detection, and even YouTube streaming.
To build AI, you first need to understand the field you’re working in, learn about it, and then design the solution. The result can be amazing — sometimes it’s an app that saves a factory $300,000 in a single day by predicting that an expensive machine is about to break. Other times, it’s an app used by millions of people. Both are huge achievements.
Possible without a degree
Do you think you can only work in AI if you have a degree? I don’t think so. A degree can help and is sometimes required, but because there’s such a shortage of experts, many companies will hire you if you can prove your skills with real projects and knowledge.
That’s why it’s worth showing your expertise:
Build a strong LinkedIn profile.
Create a clear, professional CV.
Share your code on GitHub.
Start a YouTube channel.
Or build a freelancer profile with great reviews.
All of these can prove that you’re a skilled professional — even without a diploma.
You can find the next 7 reasons in the video: