Machine Learning Engineer salary (2024)

The average salary for a Machine Learning Engineer is $127,667.

Machine Learning Engineers across varying years of experience and locations around the country make an average salary of $127,667 annually. The average Machine Learning Engineer salary can fluctuate based on experience and location.

Entry-level Machine Learning Engineers on average can make nearly $75,000 per year whereas senior-level workers can make on average $195,000.

These averages are based on salary alone, not including equity or other compensation.

For a more in-depth look at salaries based on Wellfound job data, check out our unique, dynamic salary tool which allows you to customize your salary estimate based on your role, location, skills, and market.

How much do Machine Learning Engineers make?

Machine Learning Engineers pay by experience level

While pay can be influenced by education and location, the amount of time you have worked in the field is one of the top determinants of salary.

Whether you’ve just entered the job market or you’re an experienced professional, it’s expected to see fluctuations in salary based on this criteria.

Entry-level Machine Learning Engineers can make an average salary of $75,000 annually.

Mid-level Machine Learning Engineers can make an average salary of $110,000 annually.

Senior-level Machine Learning Engineers can make an average salary of $195,000 annually.

The top of the market salary a Machine Learning Engineer in Technology can get with 10+ years of experience is over $300,000. This pay is higher than the average salary in startups, which is $127,667. The salary range varies with years of experience and depends on other factors such as skill set, size of company, and industry.

Salary outlook

Statista predicts that the global machine learning market will grow from $79 billion in 2024 to $503 billion in 2020 – a staggering increase of 535%.

Successful Machine Learning Engineers may get promoted to more advanced – and often higher-paying – roles, such as: Lead Machine Learning Engineer where they can make between $154,000 to $333,000 or Senior Machine Learning Engineer where salaries rang from $160,000 to $349,000.

Remote Machine learning engineer salary and trends

As many positions in tech can be done entirely remotely, it comes as no surprise that 1465 of 3626 machine learning engineer positions on Wellfound offer remote options — a staggering 40%.

The benefits of being remote include flexible scheduling, saving time and money commuting and a greater pool of potential jobs, as you can apply to remote jobs all over the world.

What are the best-paying cities for Machine Learning Engineers?

Trying to decide where to pursue your next role? Look no further: Below are the top cities that pay the highest average salaries according to Wellfound data.

1. Los Angeles - Average salary: $225,000
2. New York - Average salary: $175,000
3. Seattle - Average salary: $160,000
4. San Francisco Bay Area - Average salary: $160,000
5. Remote - Average salary: $145,000
6. Toronto - Average salary: $115,000

Top machine learning engineer skills

Machine Learning Engineers are some of the most versatile software developers. Not only this, but they will often write the API code in the middle of front- and back-end operations.

This is why they have such a robust skill set, and of the top skills needed to succeed in the role, knowledge of programming languages is by far the most important.

• Python
• PHP
• C++
• Java
• Machine Learning
• SQL
• Django
• MySQL
• C
• Unity3D
• Flask
• Numpy
• Unity
• Deep Learning
• Docker
• Firebase
• Kotlin
• AWS
• Kubernetes
• GCP
• PyTorch

Frequently asked questions

What do machine learning engineers do?

Machine learning engineers design, build, and deploy algorithms that enable systems to learn and make predictions from data. Their responsibilities include selecting appropriate models, training algorithms on large datasets, evaluating model performance, and integrating machine learning solutions into production systems.

Are machine learning engineers paid more?

Machine learning engineers typically command higher salaries compared to other software engineering roles due to their specialized skills and the high demand for their expertise. Their advanced knowledge in algorithms, data processing, and model optimization often leads to lucrative compensation packages.

What is the career path of a machine learning engineer?

The career path of machine learning engineers often starts with foundational roles in data science or software development. As they gain experience and expertise in machine learning techniques and tools, they can progress through various levels, which may include:

• Machine Learning Engineer
• Senior Machine Learning Engineer
• Lead Machine Learning Engineer
• Principal Machine Learning Engineer
• Machine Learning Engineering Manager
• Director of Machine Learning
• Chief Data Scientist or Chief AI Officer

Related job salaries

Looking to pivot in your career? Check out these related jobs and their salaries to see how they measure up.

Frontend engineer: The average salary for a frontend engineer is $97,000.
Backend engineer: The average salary for a backend engineer is $106,000.
Software engineer: The average salary for a software engineer is $108,000.

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