Machine Learning Engineer Salary Guide 2026
Critical scarcity for foundational LLM development.
National Median: $162,080
Range: $121K – $248K
3-Year Growth Trend: +12.4% · Source: Motion; Built In
Avg Total Comp
$207,000
Experience Level
Top 10% exceeds $318k base in SF; national median trending toward $165k.
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High Demand Track
Market demand for Machine Learning Engineer is at an all-time high. Join the Vetta Marketplace to access verified offers from employers hiring at these benchmarks.
Metro Area Breakdown
20 Markets| Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA | $218,808 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA | $207,474 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City NY-NJ-PA | $200,979 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH | $197,738 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA | $194,496 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV | $194,496 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA | $194,496 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad CA | $186,392 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN-WI | $178,288 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood CO | $175,046 |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown TX | $201,340 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington TX | $170,184 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta GA | $166,942 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach FL | $165,322 |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary NC | $162,080 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI | $158,838 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia NC-SC | $158,838 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler AZ | $157,218 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MI | $155,597 |
| Salt Lake City UT | $153,976 |
"Calculated" benchmarks are derived from the national median using verified geographic cost-of-living multipliers. "Verified" entries are sourced directly from Motion; Built In.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for a Machine Learning Engineer in 2026?
The national median salary for a Machine Learning Engineer in 2026 is $162,080. Base salaries range from $121K to $248K depending on experience level and location.
Which city pays Machine Learning Engineers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA offers the highest median salary for Machine Learning Engineers at $218,808. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA is a close second at $207,474.
How fast are Machine Learning Engineer salaries growing?
Machine Learning Engineer salaries have grown at 12.4% over the past three years, making it one of the fastest-growing roles in U.S. tech. Critical scarcity for foundational LLM development.
What is the salary range for an entry-level Machine Learning Engineer?
Entry-level Machine Learning Engineer salaries start around $121K annually at the national level. Tier 1 cities like San Francisco and New York start 20–35% higher. Specialization in AI and cloud-adjacent skills accelerates entry compensation.
What total compensation should a Machine Learning Engineer expect?
Subscribe to the Vetta newsletter to access average total compensation data including equity and bonus breakdowns for Machine Learning Engineer roles across all 20 metro areas.