upper level job

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Hampstead, MD

How much does a Principal Machine Learning Engineer make in Hampstead, MD?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer in Hampstead, MD is $162,770 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $185,218
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $154,550 to $174,520
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $147,066
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered HR
View as table View as graph 25% $154,550 10% $147,066 90% $185,218 75% $174,520 $162,770 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $174,520 $14,543 $3,356 $84
Average $162,770 $13,564 $3,130 $78
25th Percentile $154,550 $12,879 $2,972 $74
Check out Principal Machine Learning Engineer Job Openings in Hampstead, MD
Kitchen Cook

A-Town Inc. - Hampstead, MD

Electrical Estimator

Todd Kmiec and Associates (Recruiting Firm) - Hampstead, MD

Security Officer Distribution Center Patrol Services

Allied Universal - Hampstead, MD

Medical Corps Officer

U.S. Navy - Hampstead, MD

Search More Principal Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Hampstead, MD

Key Factors That Influence Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salaries

A Principal 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, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Principal 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:

  • Algorithm Engineer II (2-4 years): $115,149
  • Senior Algorithm Engineer (4-7 years): $138,807
  • Principal Machine Learning Engineer (7+ years): $162,764
  • Lead Algorithm Engineer (7-10 years): $193,041
  • Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years): $176,632
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Algorithm Engineer II2-4 years$115,149
Senior Algorithm Engineer4-7 years$138,807
Principal Machine Learning Engineer7+ years$162,764
Lead Algorithm Engineer7-10 years$193,041
Algorithm Engineering Manager10+ years$176,632
$115,149 Algorithm...
$138,807 Senior Al...
$162,764 Principal...
$193,041 Lead Algo...
$176,632 Algorithm...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Principal 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: $205,650
  • San Francisco: $203,400
  • Oakland: $199,110

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Insight (Mentioned in 3.42% Job Postings): Insight is the understanding cause and effect based on the identification of relationships and behaviors within a model, context, or scenario.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 3.85% 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.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 2.14% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Insight 3.42%
Computer Science 3.85%
Economics 2.14%
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 Principal Machine Learning Engineer's salary.
  • Research Design: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Inference: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Research Design
$174,164
7%
Commitment
$172,536
6%
Inference
$172,536
6%
Continuous Learning
$170,909
5%
Empowerment
$170,909
5%
Initiative
$169,281
4%
Get Latest Data

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Principal 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 $181,902. While startup companies pay approximate $153,871.

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$153,871
Growth Stage51~500$162,734
Established501~5000$175,650
Enterprise5000+$181,902

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Principal Machine Learning Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Principal Machine Learning Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal Machine Learning Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$203,462$98.025%
Internet$195,324$94.020%
Energy & Utilities$187,186$90.015%
Aerospace & Defense$179,047$86.010%
Financial Services$179,047$86.010%

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

Understanding how a Principal 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

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Principal Machine Learning Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Lead Algorithm Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $193,100 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Find Your Next Principal Machine Learning Engineer Job

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

United States
  • latitude

    Hampstead, MD

    latitude | Hampstead, MD

    Key Responsibilities Inspect finished parts for compliance with engineering drawings and specifications Read and interpret mechanical drawings and inspecti... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Celebree

    Hampstead, MD

    Celebree | Hampstead, MD

    Preschool TeacherHampstead School - Hampstead, MD 21074Salary Range:$17.00 - $21.00 HourlyOverviewAt every Celebree School, our mission is to protect, educ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Compass Pointe Consulting

    Hampstead, MD

    Compass Pointe Consulting | Hampstead, MD

    Job DescriptionWe are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Project Manager to lead our Commercial Structured Cabling division. This role requi... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Fuchs North America

    Hampstead, MD

    Fuchs North America | Hampstead, MD

    No phone calls will be accepting regarding application or interview status. Location:Hampstead, MarylandFULL TIME2:15 pm - 12:45 am (4 - 10 hour days)How d... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Coppermine Fieldhouse LLC

    Hampstead, MD

    Coppermine Fieldhouse LLC | Hampstead, MD

    Job Description. Job Description. POSITION SUMMARY. Front desk teammates are responsible for delivering an exceptional customer service experience to all c... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Domino's Franchise

    Hampstead, MD

    Domino's Franchise | Hampstead, MD

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. It's more fun with us. No one likes being bored at work, which is why a Domino's job is all about having... more

    5 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Cost of Living In Hampstead, MD

Cost of Living in Hampstead, MD is
8.4% Higher
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

Explore Cost of Living Calculator
Empower Your Team

Salary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.

Find Salary.com Comp Consulting
See Salary Trends in 2025

Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.

Price Your Company Jobs and Make Pay Fair

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job