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Senior Machine Learning Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Senior Machine Learning Engineer make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Machine Learning Engineer in the United States is $121,960 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

However, a Senior Machine Learning Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $139,842
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,570 to $131,320
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,842
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View as table View as graph 25% $114,570 10% $107,842 90% $139,842 75% $131,320 $121,960 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Machine Learning Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $131,320 $10,943 $2,525 $63
Average $121,960 $10,163 $2,345 $59
25th Percentile $114,570 $9,548 $2,203 $55
Check out Senior Machine Learning Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Sr Custom Machine Design Engineer

Engineered Vision - Westerville, OH

Senior Software Engineer Machine Learning Platform

Upstart - Columbus, OH

Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Upstart - Columbus, OH

Machine Learning Engineer

Radiance Technologies, Inc. - Beavercreek, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Senior Machine Learning Engineer Salaries

A Senior Machine Learning Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Senior Machine Learning Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Machine Learning Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Algorithm Engineer I (0-2 years): $92,664
  • Algorithm Engineer II (2-4 years): $108,470
  • Senior Machine Learning Engineer (4-7 years): $121,959
  • Principal Algorithm Engineer (7+ years): $158,356
  • Lead Algorithm Engineer (7-10 years): $176,184
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Algorithm Engineer I0-2 years$92,664
Algorithm Engineer II2-4 years$108,470
Senior Machine Learning Engineer4-7 years$121,959
Principal Algorithm Engineer7+ years$158,356
Lead Algorithm Engineer7-10 years$176,184
$92,664 Algorithm...
$108,470 Algorithm...
$121,959 Senior Ma...
$158,356 Principal...
$176,184 Lead Algo...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Senior Machine Learning Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $153,830
  • San Francisco: $152,320
  • Oakland: $148,940

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Machine Learning Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.97% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Science (Mentioned in 4.67% Job Postings): Data science is a multi-disciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data. Data science is the same concept as data mining and big data: "use the most powerful hardware, the most powerful programming systems, and the most efficient algorithms to solve problems". Data science is a "concept to unify statistics, data analysis, machine learning and their related methods" in order to "understand and analyze actual phenomena" with data. It employs techniques and theories drawn from many fields within the context of mathematics, statistics, computer science, and information science. Turing award winner Jim Gray imagined data science as a "fourth paradigm" of science (empirical, theoretical, computational and now data-driven) and asserted that "everything about science is changing because of the impact of information technology" and the data deluge. In 2015, the American Statistical Association identified database management, statistics and machine learning, and distributed and parallel systems as the three emerging foundational professional communities.
  • Artificial Intelligence (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Specific applications of AI include expert systems, natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.97%
Data Science 4.67%
Artificial Intelligence 1.5%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Senior Machine Learning Engineer's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Active Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
 $126,838
4%
Team Building
 $126,838
4%
Active Learning
 $126,838
4%
Presentation
 $126,838
4%
Continuous Learning
 $125,619
3%
Data Structure
 $124,399
2%
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Senior Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Machine Learning Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on April 01, 2026
$114,570
Average $121,960/year
$131,320
$9,548
Average $10,163/month
$10,943
$2,203
Average $2,345/week
$2,525
$55
Average $59/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $131,320 $10,943 $2,525 $63
Average $121,960 $10,163 $2,345 $59
25th Percentile $114,570 $9,548 $2,203 $55

Senior Machine Learning Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Senior Machine Learning Engineer
Principal Algorithm Engineer
Algorithm Engineering Manager

For a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Principal Algorithm Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $158,400 - a projected growth of 30% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Salary Trends for Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Salaries for a Senior Machine Learning Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $135,539 in 2023 to around $132,375 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Senior Machine Learning Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Senior Machine Learning Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$135,539
2024
$134,120
2025
$132,375
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $135,539
2024 $134,120
2025 $132,375
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Senior Machine Learning Engineer

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FAQ about Senior Machine Learning Engineer

1. Why are machine learning engineers paid so much?

Machine learning engineers are paid significantly, with salaries ranging from $114,840 to $145,270, due to their specialized skill set and market demand. Their expertise in AI, data science, and statistical modeling makes them highly valuable in today's tech landscape, driving companies to offer competitive compensation to attract top talent.

2. Does SpaceX pay engineers well?

SpaceX offers competitive salaries for Senior Machine Learning Engineers, with a minimum salary of $114,840, a mid-range salary of $129,660, and a maximum salary of $145,270. This compensation reflects the high demand for skilled engineers in the industry, positioning SpaceX as an attractive employer for top talent.

3. What is the salary of ML engineer in Google?

The salary of a Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Google ranges from $114,840 to $145,270, with a median salary of $129,660. This reflects the competitive compensation for skilled professionals in the field, aligning with industry standards.

4. How much do Faang machine learning engineers make?

Senior Machine Learning Engineers typically earn between $114,840 and $145,270 annually, with a median salary of around $129,660. In contrast, FAANG companies offer significantly higher salaries, with averages like $222,559 at Amazon and $284,275 at Google, reflecting the competitive nature of the tech industry.

5. Which IT job is the highest paid?

The highest paid IT job in 2025 is the Senior Machine Learning Engineer, with a maximum annual salary of $145,270. The salary range for this role is between $114,840 and $145,270, reflecting the growing demand for expertise in AI and machine learning. This trend highlights the lucrative opportunities in the tech industry for skilled professionals.

6. What is the highest salary for a Machine Learning Engineer?

The highest salary for a Senior Machine Learning Engineer is $145,270, with a minimum salary of $114,840 and a mid-range salary of $129,660. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, where experienced professionals can command significant compensation.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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