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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Learning Specialist in California is $83,855 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, a Machine Learning Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Machine Learning Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $91,440 | $7,620 | $1,758 | $44 |
| Average | $83,855 | $6,988 | $1,613 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,684 | $6,390 | $1,475 | $37 |
TETRAMEM INC - San Jose, CA
pony.ai - Fremont, CA
Capital Group - Los Angeles, CA
Perfict Global, Inc. - Fremont, CA
A Machine Learning Specialist'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 Specialist'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 |
|---|---|
| Machine L... Level Machine Learning Specialist | $85,349 |
| Informati... Level Machine Learning Specialist | $100,361 |
| Informati... Level Machine Learning Specialist | $130,796 |
| Informati... Level Machine Learning Specialist | $152,861 |
| Informati... Level Machine Learning Specialist | $177,081 |
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 Specialists. 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 Specialist 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 Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Machine Learning Specialist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Machine Learning Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $100,626 | $48.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $96,434 | $46.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $92,241 | $44.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $92,241 | $44.0 | 10% |
| Internet | $92,241 | $44.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Machine Learning Specialist'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 | $91,440 | $7,620 | $1,758 | $44 |
| Average | $83,855 | $6,988 | $1,613 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,684 | $6,390 | $1,475 | $37 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Machine Learning Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Hive
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San Francisco, CA
Warner Bros. Discovery | San Francisco, CA
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