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Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer in the United States is $193,380 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $214,108
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $176,870 to $204,230
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $161,839
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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): $139,046
  • Principal Algorithm Engineer (7+ years): $163,044
  • Lead Machine Learning Engineer (7-10 years): $193,374
  • Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years): $176,936
  • Algorithm Engineering Senior Manager (10+ years): $198,965
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Senior Algorithm Engineer4-7 years$139,046
Principal Algorithm Engineer7+ years$163,044
Lead Machine Learning Engineer7-10 years$193,374
Algorithm Engineering Manager10+ years$176,936
Algorithm Engineering Senior Manager10+ years$198,965
View as Graph

How Do Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lead Machine Learning Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $214,110.
  • California: $213,300.
  • Massachusetts: $210,450.

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: $243,910
  • San Francisco: $241,240
  • Oakland: $236,150

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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.73%
Computer Science 4.61%
Programming 1.37%
See More Skills

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 $216,586
12%
Data-Driven Decision-Making $214,652
11%
Products and Services $210,784
9%
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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 $216,110. While startup companies pay approximate $182,807.

Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $182,807
Growth Stage 51~500 $193,337
Established 501~5000 $208,682
Enterprise 5000+ $216,110

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$232,056$112.020%
Energy & Utilities$222,387$107.015%
Internet$216,586$104.012%
Aerospace & Defense$212,718$102.010%
Pharmaceuticals$212,718$102.010%

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 September 01, 2026
$176,870
Average $193,380/year
$204,230
$14,739
Average $16,115/month
$17,019
$3,401
Average $3,719/week
$3,928
$85
Average $93/hour
$98
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $204,230 $17,019 $3,928 $98
Average $193,380 $16,115 $3,719 $93
25th Percentile $176,870 $14,739 $3,401 $85

Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Lead Machine Learning Engineer

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Advancement

For a Lead Machine Learning Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Artificial Intelligence Engineer VI role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $231,900 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Lead Machine Learning Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

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.

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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 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.)

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