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Senior Algorithm Engineer Salary in Pasadena, CA

How much does a Senior Algorithm Engineer make in Pasadena, CA?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Algorithm Engineer in Pasadena, CA is $153,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $175,943
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $144,100 to $165,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $135,633
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View as table View as graph 25% $144,100 10% $135,633 90% $175,943 75% $165,200 $153,400 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Algorithm Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $165,200 $13,767 $3,177 $79
Average $153,400 $12,783 $2,950 $74
25th Percentile $144,100 $12,008 $2,771 $69
Check out Senior Algorithm Engineer Job Openings in Pasadena, CA
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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, skills, 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:

  • Algorithm Engineer I (0-2 years): $114,426
  • Algorithm Engineer II (2-4 years): $127,242
  • Senior Algorithm Engineer (4-7 years): $153,384
  • Principal Algorithm Engineer (7+ years): $179,857
  • Lead Algorithm Engineer (7-10 years): $213,315
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Algorithm Engineer I0-2 years$114,426
Algorithm Engineer II2-4 years$127,242
Senior Algorithm Engineer4-7 years$153,384
Principal Algorithm Engineer7+ years$179,857
Lead Algorithm Engineer7-10 years$213,315
$114,426 Algorithm...
$127,242 Algorithm...
$153,384 Senior Al...
$179,857 Principal...
$213,315 Lead Algo...
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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: $175,400
  • San Francisco: $173,500
  • Oakland: $169,900

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
$159,536
4%
Team Building
$159,536
4%
Active Learning
$159,536
4%
Presentation
$159,536
4%
Continuous Learning
$158,002
3%
Data Structure
$156,468
2%
Get Latest Data

Senior Algorithm Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Senior Algorithm Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $171,431. While startup companies pay approximate $145,013.

Senior Algorithm Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$145,013
Growth Stage51~500$153,366
Established501~5000$165,538
Enterprise5000+$171,431

Senior Algorithm Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Senior Algorithm Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Senior Algorithm Engineer positions in Transportation or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Algorithm Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Senior Algorithm Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$214,760$103.040%
Biotechnology$191,750$92.025%
Financial Services$191,750$92.025%
Insurance$176,410$85.015%
Energy & Utilities$168,740$81.010%

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 September 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 $179,900 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

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
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    Pasadena, CA

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    Pasadena, CA

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    Pasadena, CA

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    Pasadena, CA

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    Pasadena, CA

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