As reported by a McKinsey survey, 78 %of firms use AI in at least one function. Demand for AI options drives costs upward. And if you’re not sure about how much it costs to hire AI developers, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
A basic uniform policy can never suffice when it comes to the costs of AI Developers. The nature and scope of the tasks, the developer’s level of expertise, and differing technologies are often involved in determining an AI developer’s salary.
These factors help when you need to find the most qualified developers without overspending.
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How Much Does it Cost to Hire AI Developers?
AI developers are in high demand, and the cost can vary widely. So, how much do AI developers cost?
Let’s break it down so you can make an informed decision without overpaying.
1. Cost Based on App Complexity
The cost to build an AI-powered app directly increases with its complexity, requiring more time, knowledge, and resources. Here’s a breakdown of AI programmer hourly rates based on different app types:
| Simple App | ||
| Hourly Rate (Early-level Developer) | Hourly Rate (Mid-level Developer) | Average Duration |
| $30 – $50 | $50 – $100 | 3 – 6 months |
| Medium App | ||
| Hourly Rate (Mid-level Developer) | Hourly Rate (Senior Developer) | Average Duration |
| $50 – $100 | $100 – $200 | 6 – 12 months |
| Advanced App | ||
| Hourly Rate (Senior Developer) | Hourly Rate (Team of Mixed Levels) | Average Duration |
| $100 – $200+ | $50 – $200+ | 12 – 18 months |
Simple App:
Building an AI app ranges in cost and timeline based on complexity. Simple chatbots or data tools cost $10,000-$60,000 and take 3-6 months with 1-2 developers.
Medium App:
Medium apps with recommendation systems need 2-4 developers for 6-12 months, costing from $50 to $200 with senior talent.
Advanced App:
Advanced projects like autonomous vehicles require expert teams, take 12-18 months, and cost $500,000- $ 2 M+.
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2. Cost Based on Region
AI developers’ salaries also depend on factors like location. It varies depending on the resources and technologies available in that region. Let’s learn about the cost of developers in the top 5 regions:
| Region | Senior AI Developer Hourly Rate (USD) |
| North America | $150 – $250 |
| Western Europe | $100 – $200 |
| Eastern Europe | $50 – $100 |
| Asia | $10 – $30 |
| Latin America | $40 – $80 |
North America:
North America’s talent costs $150-250/hour due to high demand.
Western Europe:
The UK, Germany, and France have a lot of talented AI developers, too, but their rates are a bit lower compared to North America. Western Europe offers skilled developers at $100-200/hour.
Eastern Europe:
Unable to find the balance between cost and quality? Well, some of the top choices for outsourcing AI development are Poland, Ukraine, and Romania. You’ll usually pay $50 to $100 per year with highly skilled developers and competitive rates. It’s a small fraction of what you’d pay in North America.
Asia:
For budget-friendly options, look to Asia, where senior AI developers’ salaries range just $30-80/hour without sacrificing expertise.
Latin America:
AI automation services are rising in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, balancing affordability and convenience. In this area, developers charge around $40 to $80 per hour, and their time zones align with those in North America.
3. Cost Based on Specialization
When hiring AI developers, their costs can vary depending on the specialization you’re hiring them for. Let’s understand AI consultants’ hourly rates:
| Specialization | Developer Hourly Rate (USD) |
| NLP | $80 – $200 |
| Computer Vision | $80 – $200 |
| Reinforcement Learning | $100 – $250 |
| AI for Healthcare | $100 – $250 |
| AI for Finance | $100 – $250 |
Natural Language Processing:
Ever wondered how chatbots understand you or how Google translates so smoothly? Well, that’s NLP working behind the scenes. NLP experts create AI that understands text, translates languages, and detects emotions, costing $80-$200 hourly.
Computer Vision:
Self-driving car and facial recognition model developers charge the same rates. A computer vision expert could charge between $80 and $200 an hour.
AI for Healthcare:
Developers who work on enabling personalized care and providing disease diagnosis using AI in healthcare services charge between $100-$250 per hour.
AI for Finance:
Financial AI experts command the same premium rates for building solutions that manage risk, automate trading, and detect fraud. These experts charge $100-$250 per hour.
Also Read: How to Build Responsible Generative AI: An Ethical Approach
4. Cost Based on Tools & Technologies
Hiring AI developers isn’t just limited to salaries. It involves the tools and technologies that support AI solutions. Let’s discuss a few factors that influence the cost:
| Technology/Tool | Example Costs (USD) |
| Machine Learning Frameworks | Free (TensorFlow, PyTorch) |
| Cloud Services | Google Cloud, Azure: $500 – $10,000/month |
| AI Development Tools | IBM Watson, OpenAI GPT: $1,000 – $10,000+ |
| Specialized Hardware | GPUs/TPUs: $1,000 – $10,000+ |
Machine Learning Frameworks:
AI developers commonly use frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn. These frameworks are free, but skilled developers are needed to work with them. Hiring experienced experts can raise the cost of the project.
Cloud Services:
Cloud services like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure are necessary for most AI projects to store and process data. The cost depends on:
- How much data do you handle?
- How much processing power do you require?
- How long have you used the service?
Also, developers specializing in cloud-based AI or AI-powered virtual assistant development may charge more than others.
AI Development Tools:
There are various AI development tools, such as:
- Google AI
- Open AI’s GPT
- IBM Watson
These can speed up development, but usually charge licensing or usage fees. If you’re making a budget for AI, include these costs.
Hardware Requirements:
If your AI project involves deep learning or processing large amounts of data, you might need high-performance hardware like GPUs or TPUs. These can grow expensive and affect your entire spending plan, whether renting or purchasing.
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Strategies to Manage Hiring Costs
Hiring AI developers can get expensive. But with smart planning, you can keep your costs under control. Follow the below low-cost, effective strategies to save on AI consultancy and development hourly rates.
1. Know Your Requirement
Before hiring, take a step back and determine what you need.
Hiring a freelancer can help you save money. You won’t need to pay full-time salaries for smaller tasks. It includes automating workflows or developing specific machine learning models. Choosing the right freelancer for your project can save you $50,000 to $100,000 annually.
2. Outsource to Freelancers/Agencies
Try AI project needs a permanent hire. You can outsource short-term tasks to freelancers or AI agencies. Sites like Upwork and Toptal offer skilled AI experts at $50 and $200 per hour. It helps you to:
- Hire top talent without paying for onboarding or perks
- Save you the trouble of building an in-house team
- Provide faster and high-quality results
Also Read: 5 Ways Non-profits Are Using AI to Make an Impact
3. Hire Remotely
Looking beyond local talent can reduce software development costs without compromising quality. AI developers’ salaries in Eastern Europe or India are between $20,000 and $70,000 per year, up to 70% cheaper than hiring in the US or Western Europe.
Plus, remote hiring means:
- No office rent
- No equipment
- No extra operational costs
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Want to Hire AI Developers within Budget? Consult PixelCrayons!
You can secure top talent while keeping AI consultants’ hourly rates in check by following a structured approach:
- Clearly define project scope to cut extra costs.
- Outsource or hire remotely for savings.
- Use AI platforms to lower manual work and expenses.
With time, you’ll build a strong development team without exceeding your budget. Just make sure to make smart hiring decisions and utilize the right AI tools.
However, if you’re still unsure about finding the right AI developers within your budget, consult PixelCrayons. We provide:
- Workstatus Powered Proof of Work
- Fast & Easy Onboarding
- Easy Team Scale Up & Scale Down
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