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Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Pierre, SD

How much does a Principal Machine Learning Engineer make in Pierre, SD?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer in Pierre, SD is $137,370 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $156,303
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $130,430 to $147,280
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $124,111
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View as table View as graph 25% $130,430 10% $124,111 90% $156,303 75% $147,280 $137,370 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 $147,280 $12,273 $2,832 $71
Average $137,370 $11,448 $2,642 $66
25th Percentile $130,430 $10,869 $2,508 $63
Check out Principal Machine Learning Engineer Job Openings in Pierre, SD
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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): $97,180
  • Senior Algorithm Engineer (4-7 years): $117,146
  • Principal Machine Learning Engineer (7+ years): $137,365
  • Lead Algorithm Engineer (7-10 years): $162,918
  • Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years): $149,069
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Algorithm Engineer II2-4 years$97,180
Senior Algorithm Engineer4-7 years$117,146
Principal Machine Learning Engineer7+ years$137,365
Lead Algorithm Engineer7-10 years$162,918
Algorithm Engineering Manager10+ years$149,069
$97,180 Algorithm...
$117,146 Senior Al...
$137,365 Principal...
$162,918 Lead Algo...
$149,069 Algorithm...
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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
 $146,986
7%
Commitment
 $145,612
6%
Inference
 $145,612
6%
Continuous Learning
 $144,239
5%
Empowerment
 $144,239
5%
Initiative
 $142,865
4%
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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 $153,517. While startup companies pay approximate $129,859.

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$129,859
Growth Stage51~500$137,339
Established501~5000$148,240
Enterprise5000+$153,517

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$171,712$83.025%
Internet$164,844$79.020%
Energy & Utilities$157,976$76.015%
Aerospace & Defense$151,107$73.010%
Financial Services$151,107$73.010%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$130,430
Average $137,370/year
$147,280
$10,869
Average $11,448/month
$12,273
$2,508
Average $2,642/week
$2,832
$63
Average $66/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $147,280 $12,273 $2,832 $71
Average $137,370 $11,448 $2,642 $66
25th Percentile $130,430 $10,869 $2,508 $63

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Principal Machine Learning Engineer
Lead Algorithm Engineer
Algorithm Engineering Manager

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 $163,000 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Principal Machine Learning Engineer

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

  • Wegner Auto Company

    Pierre, SD

    Automotive Sales Consultant

    Wegner Auto Company | Pierre, SD

    Wegner Auto Company is a family owned business established in 1907 and is South Dakota's Oldest Auto Dealer.We are searching for motivated individuals with... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Vibra Travels Llc

    Pierre, SD

    Radiology Imaging

    Vibra Travels Llc | Pierre, SD

    VIBRA TRAVELS is seeking a Sonographer to join our expanding network of healthcare professionals.We're looking for dependable, detail-focused travelers wit... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Simpay

    Pierre, SD

    Membership Advisor

    Simpay | Pierre, SD

    About Simpay. At Simpay, we help businesses simplify operations through payment processing, payroll, business solutions, and our exclusive. Exectras Member... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Karl's TV and Appliance

    Pierre, SD

    Delivery Warehouse Associate

    Karl's TV and Appliance | Pierre, SD

    Job Description:A Warehouse/Delivery associate performs all the activities necessary to handle incoming products from our vendor partners along with custom... more

    7 Days Ago

  • McDonald's

    Pierre, SD

    Manager

    McDonald's | Pierre, SD

    ManagerLeonard Management / dba McDonald'sAre you looking for a position that inspires your best, moves you forward, encourages your education, & builds yo... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Kore Cares

    Pierre, SD

    In Home Caregiver

    Kore Cares | Pierre, SD

    Description:Flexible Schedule, Comprehensive Benefits, Bonus Program, Meaningful Work. Work with a management team that respects and cares for their team. ... more

    7 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In Pierre, SD

Cost of Living in Pierre, SD is
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