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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Learning Developer in California is $175,525 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.
However, a Machine Learning Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Machine Learning Developer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $186,918 | $15,576 | $3,595 | $90 |
| Average | $175,525 | $14,627 | $3,375 | $84 |
| 25th Percentile | $165,789 | $13,816 | $3,188 | $80 |
TETRAMEM INC - San Jose, CA
pony.ai - Fremont, CA
Harbor Freight Tools - Calabasas, CA
Capital Group - Los Angeles, CA
A Machine Learning Developer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Learning Developer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Engine... Level Machine Learning Developer | $121,619 |
| AI Engine... Level Machine Learning Developer | $136,682 |
| Machine L... Level Machine Learning Developer | $177,553 |
| AI Engine... Level Machine Learning Developer | $197,475 |
| AI Engine... Level Machine Learning Developer | $198,378 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Machine Learning Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Machine Learning Developer 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, Machine Learning Developer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Machine Learning Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $219,406 | $105.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $210,630 | $101.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $201,854 | $97.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $193,077 | $93.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $193,077 | $93.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Machine Learning Developer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $186,918 | $15,576 | $3,595 | $90 |
| Average | $175,525 | $14,627 | $3,375 | $84 |
| 25th Percentile | $165,789 | $13,816 | $3,188 | $80 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Machine Learning Developer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Perfict Global, Inc.
Fremont, CA
Perfict Global, Inc. | Fremont, CA
Machine Learning EngineerExperience:9years Visa:GC, USC, GCEAD, H4EAD, TN Tax Term:W2 Client:Tesla Location:Fremont, CA, onsiteProject Description:Design, ... more
6 Days Ago
Hive
San Francisco, CA
Hive | San Francisco, CA
Machine Learning ManagerIn order to execute our vision, we're constantly growing our machine learning team. We are looking for an exceptional leader to hel... more
6 Days Ago
Humai
San Francisco, CA
Humai | San Francisco, CA
Senior Machine Learning EngineerLocation:San FranciscoAbout Hum.aiHum.ai is building planetary superintelligence. Backed by top funds, we've raised $10Mand... more
6 Days Ago
Guidewire
San Mateo, CA
Guidewire | San Mateo, CA
Machine Learning Engineer IIIJoin Guidewire's Product Strategy team in San Mateo, where we drive operational excellence and transformative innovation by em... more
6 Days Ago
Orchard Robotics
San Francisco, CA
Orchard Robotics | San Francisco, CA
Orchard RoboticsOrchard Robotics is a Series A startup backed by top VCs like Quiet Capital, Shine Capital, and General Catalyst. We're securing America's ... more
6 Days Ago
Inference
San Francisco, CA
Inference | San Francisco, CA
Join Our Team To Push The Boundaries Of What's Possible In Llm Post-TrainingHelp us push the boundaries of what's possible in LLM post-training. If you lov... more
6 Days Ago
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