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How Much Do Machine Learning Engineers Make? A Comprehensive Salary Guide

Unlock the secret to unlimited earning potential as a machine learning engineer! Discover how much you could be making in this in-demand field and learn tips for negotiating the best salary.


Updated October 15, 2023

Machine Learning Engineer Salaries: A Comprehensive Guide

Machine learning engineers are in high demand, and their salaries reflect their expertise and importance in the tech industry. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at machine learning engineer salaries based on factors such as location, experience, and company size.

Location Matters

Machine learning engineer salaries can vary significantly based on location. Here are some approximate salary ranges for machine learning engineers in different regions of the United States:

  • San Francisco Bay Area: $150,000 - $250,000 per year
  • New York City: $125,000 - $225,000 per year
  • Los Angeles: $125,000 - $225,000 per year
  • Austin: $100,000 - $175,000 per year
  • Seattle: $125,000 - $225,000 per year

It’s worth noting that these salary ranges are approximate and can vary based on factors such as the size and type of company, the specific job requirements, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Additionally, salaries in other countries may be lower or higher depending on their respective economies and cost of living.

Experience Matters

Machine learning engineer salaries also vary based on experience. Here are some approximate salary ranges for machine learning engineers based on their level of experience:

  • Junior Machine Learning Engineer (0-3 years of experience): $85,000 - $140,000 per year
  • Mid-level Machine Learning Engineer (3-6 years of experience): $120,000 - $200,000 per year
  • Senior Machine Learning Engineer (6+ years of experience): $150,000 - $250,000 per year

Company Size Matters

The size of the company can also impact machine learning engineer salaries. Here are some approximate salary ranges for machine learning engineers based on the size of the company:

  • Small companies (less than 100 employees): $80,000 - $160,000 per year
  • Medium-sized companies (100-500 employees): $120,000 - $225,000 per year
  • Large companies (more than 500 employees): $150,000 - $300,000 per year

Other Factors Affecting Salaries

In addition to location, experience, and company size, there are other factors that can impact machine learning engineer salaries. These include:

  • Specialization: Machine learning engineers who specialize in a particular area, such as computer vision or natural language processing, may earn higher salaries than those who have a more general skill set.
  • Domain expertise: Machine learning engineers who have expertise in a specific domain, such as healthcare or finance, may earn higher salaries than those who are more generalists.
  • Technology stack: Machine learning engineers who are proficient in a particular technology stack, such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, may earn higher salaries than those who are less experienced with that stack.
  • Leadership and management skills: Machine learning engineers who have leadership and management skills may earn higher salaries than those who do not have these skills.

Conclusion

Machine learning engineer salaries can vary significantly based on a range of factors, including location, experience, company size, specialization, domain expertise, technology stack, and leadership and management skills. By understanding these factors and their impact on salaries, machine learning engineers can better negotiate salaries and make informed decisions about their careers.