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Hourly Wage for Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Lead Machine Learning Engineer?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer in the United States is $85, which translates to an annual salary of about $176,130.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $94 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77 to $89 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $77 10% $71 90% $94 75% $89 $85 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $186,010 $15,501 $3,577 $89
Average $176,130 $14,678 $3,387 $85
25th Percentile $161,050 $13,421 $3,097 $77
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Key Factors That Influence Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salaries

A Lead 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 Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead 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:

  • Senior Algorithm Engineer (4-7 years): $121,907
  • Principal Algorithm Engineer (7+ years): $158,360
  • Lead Machine Learning Engineer (7-10 years): $176,128
  • Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years): $176,934
  • Algorithm Engineering Senior Manager (10+ years): $198,967
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Senior Algorithm Engineer4-7 years$121,907
Principal Algorithm Engineer7+ years$158,360
Lead Machine Learning Engineer7-10 years$176,128
Algorithm Engineering Manager10+ years$176,934
Algorithm Engineering Senior Manager10+ years$198,967
$121,907 Senior Al...
$158,360 Principal...
$176,128 Lead Mach...
$176,934 Algorithm...
$198,967 Algorithm...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Lead 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: $222,160
  • San Francisco: $219,720
  • Oakland: $215,090

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.73% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 4.61% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.37% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.73%
Computer Science 4.61%
Programming 1.37%
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 Lead Machine Learning Engineer's salary.
  • Active Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Active Learning
$197,266
12%
Data-Driven Decision-Making
$195,504
11%
Products and Services
$191,982
9%
Team Building
$186,698
6%
Data Structure
$186,698
6%
Team Development
$184,937
5%
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Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Lead Machine Learning Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $197,167. While startup companies pay approximate $166,799.

Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$166,799
Growth Stage51~500$176,410
Established501~5000$190,400
Enterprise5000+$197,167

Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Machine Learning Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lead Machine Learning Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Machine Learning Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$211,356$102.020%
Energy & Utilities$202,549$97.015%
Internet$197,266$95.012%
Aerospace & Defense$193,743$93.010%
Pharmaceuticals$193,743$93.010%

Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Salaries for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $172,227 in 2023 to around $172,230 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Machine Learning Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Lead Machine Learning Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$172,227
2024
$174,002
2025
$172,230
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $172,227
2024 $174,002
2025 $172,230
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Lead Machine Learning Engineer

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

Here are companies hiring for Lead Machine Learning Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Lead Machine Learning Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Machine Learning Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • AMN Healthcare, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    AMN Healthcare, Inc. | Columbus, OH

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    3 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    6 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    7 Days Ago

  • The Curare Group, Inc

    Columbus, OH

    The Curare Group, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Hospital is seeking a Board Certified/Board Eligible Pediatrician to join a well-respected and growing practice located an hour from Columbus. Only Pediatr... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Lead Machine Learning Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Machine Learning Engineer?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Machine Learning Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a lead machine learning engineer make in the US?

As of now, the salary for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer in the United States ranges from $172,880 to $209,640 annually, with a median salary of $189,440. This translates to approximately $83.05 to $100.67 per hour, or $3,290 to $4,000 per week.

3. How much does a lead data engineer at Meta make?

The estimated total pay range for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer at Meta is approximately $172,880 to $209,640 per year, based on base salary data. The average base salary is around $189,440 per year. Additional compensation may vary and could include bonuses or stock options, but specific figures for these are not provided.

4. What is the highest paying job in ML?

The highest paying job in machine learning is often the Lead Machine Learning Engineer, with salaries ranging from $172,880 to $209,640. Other top roles include ML Research Scientist, NLP Engineer, and Computer Vision Engineer, all of which offer competitive compensation in the growing field of machine learning.

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

The estimated total pay range for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer at Google is $172,880 to $209,640 per year, which includes base salary and additional compensation. The average base salary for this role is approximately $189,440 per year.

6. How much does a PHD in Machine Learning Engineer make?

A PhD in Machine Learning Engineering typically earns between $172,880 and $209,640 annually. This role requires a deep understanding of data engineering, as well as expertise in designing, training, and evaluating machine learning models. The mid-salary for this position is approximately $189,440.

7. What is a good salary for an engineer in USA?

A good salary for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer in the USA ranges from $172,880 to $209,640 annually, with a median salary of $189,440. This is significantly higher than the average engineer salary, reflecting the specialized skills and expertise required in this field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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