upper level job

Senior Algorithm Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Senior Algorithm Engineer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Algorithm Engineer in the United States is $122,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

However, a Senior Algorithm Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,149
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,700 to $131,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $108,054
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI Onboarding
View as table View as graph 25% $114,700 10% $108,054 90% $140,149 75% $131,500 $122,000 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Algorithm Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $131,500 $10,958 $2,529 $63
Average $122,000 $10,167 $2,346 $59
25th Percentile $114,700 $9,558 $2,206 $55
Check out Senior Algorithm Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Sr Supply Chain Engineer

Mclane Company, Inc. - ROCKY MOUNT, NC

Sr Regulatory Engineer

Constellation Energy - KENNETT SQUARE, PA

Sr Staff Engineer

Constellation Energy - HEYWORTH, IL

Sr Staff Engineer

Constellation Energy - WELDON, IL

Search More Senior Algorithm Engineer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Senior Algorithm Engineer Salaries

A Senior Algorithm 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 Senior Algorithm Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Algorithm 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $118,731
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $119,276
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $120,366
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $123,701
  • Expert (over 8 years): $126,963
Levels Salary
Entry Level Senior Algorithm Engineer$118,731
Intermediate Level Senior Algorithm Engineer$119,276
Senior Level Senior Algorithm Engineer$120,366
Specialist Level Senior Algorithm Engineer$123,701
Expert Level Senior Algorithm Engineer$126,963
$118,731 0 yr
$119,276 < 2 yrs
$120,366 2-4 yrs
$123,701 5-8 yrs
$126,963 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Senior Algorithm 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: $153,900
  • San Francisco: $152,400
  • Oakland: $149,000

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Algorithm Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.97% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Science (Mentioned in 4.67% Job Postings): Data science is a multi-disciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data. Data science is the same concept as data mining and big data: "use the most powerful hardware, the most powerful programming systems, and the most efficient algorithms to solve problems". Data science is a "concept to unify statistics, data analysis, machine learning and their related methods" in order to "understand and analyze actual phenomena" with data. It employs techniques and theories drawn from many fields within the context of mathematics, statistics, computer science, and information science. Turing award winner Jim Gray imagined data science as a "fourth paradigm" of science (empirical, theoretical, computational and now data-driven) and asserted that "everything about science is changing because of the impact of information technology" and the data deluge. In 2015, the American Statistical Association identified database management, statistics and machine learning, and distributed and parallel systems as the three emerging foundational professional communities.
  • Artificial Intelligence (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Specific applications of AI include expert systems, natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.97%
Data Science 4.67%
Artificial Intelligence 1.5%
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 Senior Algorithm Engineer's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Active Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
$126,880
4%
Team Building
$126,880
4%
Active Learning
$126,880
4%
Presentation
$126,880
4%
Continuous Learning
$125,660
3%
Data Structure
$124,440
2%
Get Latest Data

Senior Algorithm Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Algorithm 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 January 01, 2026

Senior Algorithm Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Senior Algorithm Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Principal Algorithm Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $158,400 - a projected growth of 30% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Senior Algorithm Engineer

Salaries for a Senior Algorithm Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $135,539 in 2023 to around $132,375 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Senior Algorithm Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Senior Algorithm Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$135,539
2024
$134,120
2025
$132,375
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $135,539
2024 $134,120
2025 $132,375
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Senior Algorithm Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Senior Algorithm Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Senior Algorithm Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Senior Algorithm Engineer Job

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

United States
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.

FAQ about Senior Algorithm Engineer

1. What engineers make 200k a year?

Senior Algorithm Engineers typically earn between $114,900 and $145,300 annually, with a mid-salary of $129,700. While some engineering roles may offer salaries around $200k, they often require extensive experience or specialized skills. Positions like AI Software Engineer or Data Engineer may approach that figure, especially in high-demand sectors.

2. Is VLSI a good career in the USA?

VLSI is a promising career in the USA, with a booming industry that offers numerous opportunities for MS in VLSI graduates. Major employers like Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm are actively hiring. Salaries for Senior Algorithm Engineers in this field range from $114,900 to $145,300, reflecting the high demand and diverse roles available, including design and test engineering.

3. Do engineers make 500k a year?

While some engineers can earn upwards of $500k annually, it's important to note that Senior Algorithm Engineers typically have a salary range between $114,900 and $145,300. Achieving higher compensation often involves bonuses and equity, especially at top tech firms. To reach that level, one would need significant experience and expertise in high-demand areas.

4. What is the salary of AI algorithm developer?

The salary for a Senior Algorithm Engineer typically ranges from $114,900 to $145,300 annually, with a mid-salary of $129,700. This reflects a competitive compensation structure within the industry, ensuring that skilled professionals are rewarded for their expertise and contributions.

5. How much does an Apple genius get paid in NYC?

As of January 14, 2025, the salary for a Senior Algorithm Engineer ranges from $114,900 to $145,300, with a midpoint of $129,700. This reflects a more specialized role compared to an Apple Genius, whose pay in NYC typically ranges from $10.53 to $19.71 per hour, translating to a significantly lower annual salary.

6. What is a senior algorithm engineer?

A Senior Algorithm Engineer specializes in designing and implementing algorithms and imaging tools for medical applications, particularly in blood pressure and hemodynamic monitoring. The salary for this role typically ranges from $114,900 to $145,300, with a midpoint of $129,700, reflecting the expertise and impact of the position in the healthcare technology sector.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint 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