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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 September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer in South Carolina is $152,780 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $173,833
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $145,060 to $163,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $138,031
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View as table View as graph 25% $145,060 10% $138,031 90% $173,833 75% $163,800 $152,780 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 $163,800 $13,650 $3,150 $79
Average $152,780 $12,732 $2,938 $73
25th Percentile $145,060 $12,088 $2,790 $70
Check out Principal Machine Learning Engineer Job Openings in South Carolina
Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Zillow - CAMAS VALLEY, OR

Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Capital One - PIMMIT, VA

Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Capital One - PIMMIT, VA

Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Capital One - PIMMIT, VA

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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): $108,080
  • Senior Algorithm Engineer (4-7 years): $130,286
  • Principal Machine Learning Engineer (7+ years): $152,772
  • Lead Algorithm Engineer (7-10 years): $181,191
  • Algorithm Engineering Manager (10+ years): $165,789
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Algorithm Engineer II2-4 years$108,080
Senior Algorithm Engineer4-7 years$130,286
Principal Machine Learning Engineer7+ years$152,772
Lead Algorithm Engineer7-10 years$181,191
Algorithm Engineering Manager10+ years$165,789
$108,080 Algorithm...
$130,286 Senior Al...
$152,772 Principal...
$181,191 Lead Algo...
$165,789 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: $152,220
  • Boiling Springs: $152,230
  • Arcadia: $152,220

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 $170,738. While startup companies pay approximate $144,427.

Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$144,427
Growth Stage51~500$152,746
Established501~5000$164,869
Enterprise5000+$170,738

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$190,975$92.025%
Internet$183,336$88.020%
Energy & Utilities$175,697$84.015%
Aerospace & Defense$168,058$81.010%
Financial Services$168,058$81.010%

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
$145,060
Average $152,780/year
$163,800
$12,088
Average $12,732/month
$13,650
$2,790
Average $2,938/week
$3,150
$70
Average $73/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $163,800 $13,650 $3,150 $79
Average $152,780 $12,732 $2,938 $73
25th Percentile $145,060 $12,088 $2,790 $70

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 $181,200 - 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

  • Capital One

    PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer

    Capital One | PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer As a Capital One Machine Learning Engineer (MLE), you'll be part of an Agile team dedicated to productionizing machine learn... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Capital One

    PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer

    Capital One | PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer As a Capital One Machine Learning Engineer (MLE), you'll be part of an Agile team dedicated to productionizing machine learn... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Capital One

    PRINCE, NY

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer

    Capital One | PRINCE, NY

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer As a Capital One Machine Learning Engineer (MLE), you'll be part of an Agile team dedicated to productionizing machine learn... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Capital One

    PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer

    Capital One | PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer As a Capital One Machine Learning Engineer (MLE), you'll be part of an Agile team dedicated to productionizing machine learn... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Capital One

    PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer

    Capital One | PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer As a Capital One Machine Learning Engineer (MLE), you'll be part of an Agile team dedicated to productionizing machine learn... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Capital One

    PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer

    Capital One | PIMMIT, VA

    Lead Machine Learning Engineer As a Capital One Machine Learning Engineer (MLE), you'll be part of an Agile team dedicated to productionizing machine learn... more

    6 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In South Carolina

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