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

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

What industry pays the highest salary for Principal Machine Learning Engineer?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Principal Machine Learning Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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

A Principal Machine Learning Engineer's salary grows with experience: an Algorithm Engineer II (2-4 years)earns $112,464, a Senior Algorithm Engineer (4-7 years)earns $126,407, a Principal Machine Learning Engineer (7+ years)earns $164,187, a Lead Algorithm Engineer (7-10 years)earns $182,624, an Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years)earns $183,443,

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

Principal Machine Learning Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Principal Machine Learning Engineer roles are District of Columbia $175,340, California $174,670, Massachusetts $172,350. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

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

Salaries for Principal Machine Learning Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Machine Learning Engineer VI: $197,120; Lead Machine Learning Engineer: $176,150; Machine Learning Engineer V: $176,132; Machine Learning Engineer IV: $158,373; Machine Learning Software Engineer: $127,783.

Click or scroll to view upper level job

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Rhode Island

How much does a Principal Machine Learning Engineer make in Rhode Island?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer in Rhode Island is $164,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $186,829
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $155,930 to $176,040
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $148,410

Compensation Planning

Develop a Job Description

Pay Equity

2026 Compensation Trend

Smart Recruiting

AI Onboarding

Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits

View as table

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$176,040	$14,670	$3,385	$85
Average	$164,190	$13,683	$3,158	$79
25th Percentile	$155,930	$12,994	$2,999	$75

Get accurate pay by adjusting the below factors.

Change Search Criteria

Check out Principal Machine Learning Engineer Job Openings in Rhode Island

Occupational Therapist

Playful Learning Pediatric Therapy - EAGLE RIVER, AK

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Boston Behavior Learning Centers - BROCKTON, MA

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Mindful Therapy Group - BEND, OR

Sonographer Instructor OBGYN

Casa Loma College - AURORA, CO

Search More Principal Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island

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, 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): $112,464
Senior Algorithm Engineer (4-7 years): $126,407
Principal Machine Learning Engineer (7+ years): $164,187
Lead Algorithm Engineer (7-10 years): $182,624
Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years): $183,443

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Algorithm Engineer II	2-4 years	$112,464
Senior Algorithm Engineer	4-7 years	$126,407
Principal Machine Learning Engineer	7+ years	$164,187
Lead Algorithm Engineer	7-10 years	$182,624
Algorithm Engineering Manager	10+ years	$183,443

View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Principal 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 Principal Machine Learning Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $175,340.
California: $174,670.
Massachusetts: $172,350.

District of Columbia $175,340 California $174,670 Massachusetts $172,350 Washington $171,710 New Jersey $171,650 Alaska $171,430 Connecticut $169,240 New York $168,360

Hawaii $165,520 Rhode Island $164,190 Maryland $163,290 Minnesota $162,050 Colorado $161,580 Illinois $161,420 Oregon $160,820 Delaware $160,380

New Hampshire $160,100 Virginia $159,470 Pennsylvania $157,650 Nevada $156,730 North Dakota $156,430 Michigan $155,960 Wisconsin $155,780 Vermont $155,430

Texas $154,470 Maine $154,410 Arizona $154,310 Ohio $154,200 Georgia $152,740 Indiana $152,010 Wyoming $151,870 Utah $151,650

Iowa $151,550 Kansas $150,790 Louisiana $150,570 North Carolina $150,490 Missouri $150,460 Florida $149,840 Montana $149,510 Nebraska $149,200

Kentucky $149,020 South Carolina $148,390 Tennessee $147,990 Idaho $147,830 New Mexico $146,680 Oklahoma $146,420 Alabama $145,490 South Dakota $143,920

Arkansas $143,070 West Virginia $142,610 Mississippi $141,230

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:

Adamsville: $166,240
Albion: $164,840
Ashaway: $165,930

Adamsville, RI $166,240 Albion, RI $164,840 Ashaway, RI $165,930 Barrington, RI $164,410 Block Island, RI $165,320 Bradford, RI $165,830 Bristol, RI $165,040 Carolina, RI $165,560

Charlestown, RI $165,620 Chepachet, RI $165,290 Clayville, RI $164,830 Coventry, RI $164,830 West Greenwich, RI $165,290 East Greenwich, RI $164,720 Exeter, RI $165,240 Fiskeville, RI $164,400

Forestdale, RI $165,670 Foster, RI $165,200 Glendale, RI $165,680 Greene, RI $165,420 Greenville, RI $164,470 Harmony, RI $164,680 Harrisville, RI $165,610 Hope, RI $164,510

Hope Valley, RI $165,780 Hopkinton, RI $166,000 Jamestown, RI $165,450 Kenyon, RI $165,530 Little Compton, RI $166,220 Manville, RI $165,060 Mapleville, RI $165,320 Newport, RI $165,610

Middletown, RI $165,690 North Kingstown, RI $165,010 North Scituate, RI $164,680 Oakland, RI $165,500 Pascoag, RI $165,720 Pawtucket, RI $164,160 Central Falls, RI $164,230 Cumberland, RI $165,170

Lincoln, RI $164,400 Portsmouth, RI $165,600 Prudence Island, RI $165,260 Rockville, RI $165,980 Saunderstown, RI $165,350 Shannock, RI $165,540 Slatersville, RI $165,670 Slocum, RI $165,340

Tiverton, RI $166,100 Wakefield, RI $165,490 Kingston, RI $165,430 Narragansett, RI $165,530 Peace Dale, RI $165,470 Warren, RI $164,830 Warwick, RI $164,370 Westerly, RI $165,970

West Kingston, RI $165,480 West Warwick, RI $164,570 Wood River Junction, RI $165,710 Woonsocket, RI $165,680 North Smithfield, RI $165,300 Wyoming, RI $165,540 Providence, RI $164,110 Cranston, RI $164,130

North Providence, RI $164,150 East Providence, RI $164,120 Riverside, RI $164,180 Rumford, RI $164,150 Smithfield, RI $164,480 Johnston, RI $164,210

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 $183,645. While startup companies pay approximate $155,309.

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$155,309
Growth Stage	51~500	$164,263
Established	501~5000	$177,344
Enterprise	5000+	$183,645

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	$205,238	$99.0	25%
Internet	$197,028	$95.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$188,818	$91.0	15%
Aerospace & Defense	$180,609	$87.0	10%
Financial Services	$180,609	$87.0	10%

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 July 01, 2026

$155,930

Average $164,190/year

$176,040

$12,994

Average $13,683/month

$14,670

$2,999

Average $3,158/week

$3,385

$75

Average $79/hour

$85

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$176,040	$14,670	$3,385	$85
Average	$164,190	$13,683	$3,158	$79
25th Percentile	$155,930	$12,994	$2,999	$75

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 $182,700 - a projected growth of 11% 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.

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 Rhode Island

Cost of Living in Rhode Island is

3.7% 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

Click or scroll to view lower level job