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Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary in South Carolina

How much does a Principal Machine Learning Engineer make in South Carolina?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer in South Carolina is $148,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $168,832
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $140,920 to $159,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $134,119
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View as table View as graph 25% $140,920 10% $134,119 90% $168,832 75% $159,090 $148,390 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 $159,090 $13,258 $3,059 $76
Average $148,390 $12,366 $2,854 $71
25th Percentile $140,920 $11,743 $2,710 $68
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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, 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): $101,638
  • Senior Algorithm Engineer (4-7 years): $114,239
  • Principal Machine Learning Engineer (7+ years): $148,382
  • Lead Algorithm Engineer (7-10 years): $165,045
  • Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years): $165,785
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Algorithm Engineer II2-4 years$101,638
Senior Algorithm Engineer4-7 years$114,239
Principal Machine Learning Engineer7+ years$148,382
Lead Algorithm Engineer7-10 years$165,045
Algorithm Engineering Manager10+ years$165,785
$101,638 Algorithm...
$114,239 Senior Al...
$148,382 Principal...
$165,045 Lead Algo...
$165,785 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:

  • Spartanburg: $147,850
  • Boiling Springs: $147,860
  • Arcadia: $147,850

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 $165,973. While startup companies pay approximate $140,364.

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$140,364
Growth Stage51~500$148,456
Established501~5000$160,279
Enterprise5000+$165,973

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$185,488$89.025%
Internet$178,068$86.020%
Energy & Utilities$170,648$82.015%
Aerospace & Defense$163,229$78.010%
Financial Services$163,229$78.010%

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 July 01, 2026
$140,920
Average $148,390/year
$159,090
$11,743
Average $12,366/month
$13,258
$2,710
Average $2,854/week
$3,059
$68
Average $71/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $159,090 $13,258 $3,059 $76
Average $148,390 $12,366 $2,854 $71
25th Percentile $140,920 $11,743 $2,710 $68

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 $165,100 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Principal Machine Learning Engineer

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