What are the main factors that influence a Lead Machine Learning Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Lead Machine Learning Engineer's salary?

A Lead Machine Learning Engineer's salary grows with experience: a Senior Algorithm Engineer (4-7 years)earns $135,003, a Principal Algorithm Engineer (7+ years)earns $175,334, a Lead Machine Learning Engineer (7-10 years)earns $195,040, an Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years)earns $195,897, an Algorithm Engineering Senior Manager (10+ years)earns $220,300,

What are the highest paying states for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer?

Lead Machine Learning Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Lead Machine Learning Engineer roles are District of Columbia $195,040, California $194,310, Massachusetts $191,720. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Lead Machine Learning Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Lead Machine Learning Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Machine Learning Engineer VI: $197,150; Sr. Lead Machine Learning Engineer: $197,133; Machine Learning Engineer V: $176,146; Machine Learning Engineer IV: $158,373; Principal Machine Learning Engineer: $158,360.

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Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Lead Machine Learning Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer in District of Columbia is $195,040 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $94.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $215,959
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $178,360 to $205,990
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $163,174

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Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$205,990	$17,166	$3,961	$99
Average	$195,040	$16,253	$3,751	$94
25th Percentile	$178,360	$14,863	$3,430	$86

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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): $135,003
Principal Algorithm Engineer (7+ years): $175,334
Lead Machine Learning Engineer (7-10 years): $195,040
Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years): $195,897
Algorithm Engineering Senior Manager (10+ years): $220,300

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Senior Algorithm Engineer	4-7 years	$135,003
Principal Algorithm Engineer	7+ years	$175,334
Lead Machine Learning Engineer	7-10 years	$195,040
Algorithm Engineering Manager	10+ years	$195,897
Algorithm Engineering Senior Manager	10+ years	$220,300

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What Am I Worth?

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: $195,040.
California: $194,310.
Massachusetts: $191,720.

District of Columbia $195,040 California $194,310 Massachusetts $191,720 Washington $191,010 New Jersey $190,940 Alaska $190,690 Connecticut $188,260 New York $187,280

Hawaii $184,120 Rhode Island $182,640 Maryland $181,640 Minnesota $180,270 Colorado $179,740 Illinois $179,560 Oregon $178,890 Delaware $178,400

New Hampshire $178,090 Virginia $177,390 Pennsylvania $175,370 Nevada $174,350 North Dakota $174,010 Michigan $173,480 Wisconsin $173,290 Vermont $172,900

Texas $171,830 Maine $171,760 Arizona $171,650 Ohio $171,530 Georgia $169,910 Indiana $169,100 Wyoming $168,940 Utah $168,690

Iowa $168,590 Kansas $167,740 Louisiana $167,490 North Carolina $167,410 Missouri $167,370 Florida $166,680 Montana $166,310 Nebraska $165,960

Kentucky $165,770 South Carolina $165,060 Tennessee $164,620 Idaho $164,450 New Mexico $163,160 Oklahoma $162,880 Alabama $161,840 South Dakota $160,100

Arkansas $159,140 West Virginia $158,630 Mississippi $157,100

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:

Parcel Return Service: $193,990
Washington: $193,990
Naval Anacost Annex: $193,980

Parcel Return Service, DC $193,990 Washington, DC $193,990 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $193,980 Washington Navy Yard, DC $193,990

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 June 01, 2026

$178,360

Average $195,040/year

$205,990

$14,863

Average $16,253/month

$17,166

$3,430

Average $3,751/week

$3,961

$86

Average $94/hour

$99

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$205,990	$17,166	$3,961	$99
Average	$195,040	$16,253	$3,751	$94
25th Percentile	$178,360	$14,863	$3,430	$86

Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineer VI

Algorithm Engineering Manager

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 $218,300 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

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