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Machine Learning Research Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does a Machine Learning Research Scientist make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Learning Research Scientist in the United States is $129,843 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,102
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $119,612 to $140,971
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $110,297
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View as table View as graph 25% $119,612 10% $110,297 90% $151,102 75% $140,971 $129,843 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Machine Learning Research Scientist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $140,971 $11,748 $2,711 $68
Average $129,843 $10,820 $2,497 $62
25th Percentile $119,612 $9,968 $2,300 $58
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Key Factors That Influence Machine Learning Research Scientist Salaries

A Machine Learning Research Scientist'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Machine Learning Research Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Learning Research Scientist'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): $81,868
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $105,357
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $129,025
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $149,275
  • Expert (over 8 years): $171,604
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Machine Learning Research Scientist$81,868
Software ... Level Machine Learning Research Scientist$105,357
Machine L... Level Machine Learning Research Scientist$129,025
Software ... Level Machine Learning Research Scientist$149,275
Software ... Level Machine Learning Research Scientist$171,604
$81,868 0 yr
$105,357 < 2 yrs
$129,025 2-4 yrs
$149,275 5-8 yrs
$171,604 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Machine Learning Research Scientists

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: $163,771
  • San Francisco: $161,978
  • Oakland: $158,564

What Skills Can Increase a Machine Learning Research Scientist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.68% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 4.7% Job Postings): Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components. Software development is a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense, it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products. Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common being to meet specific needs of a specific client/business (the case with custom software), to meet a perceived need of some set of potential users (the case with commercial and open source software), or for personal use (e.g. a scientist may write software to automate a mundane task). Embedded software development, that is, the development of embedded software, such as used for controlling consumer products, requires the development process to be integrated with the development of the controlled physical product. System software underlies applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
  • Software Engineering (Mentioned in 2.8% Job Postings): Software engineering is the application of engineering to the development of software in a systematic method. Notable definitions of software engineering include: "the systematic application of scientific and technological knowledge, methods, and experience to the design, implementation, testing, and documentation of software"—The Bureau of Labor Statistics—IEEE Systems and software engineering - Vocabulary "The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software"—IEEE Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology "an engineering discipline that is concerned with all aspects of software production"—Ian Sommerville "the establishment and use of sound engineering principles in order to economically obtain software that is reliable and works efficiently on real machines"—Fritz Bauer
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.68%
Software Development 4.7%
Software Engineering 2.8%
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 Machine Learning Research Scientist's salary.
  • Open Source: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Container: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Open Source
 $135,037
4%
Container
 $133,738
3%
Innovation
 $133,738
3%
Kubernetes
 $133,738
3%
Python
 $132,440
2%
AWS
 $132,440
2%
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Machine Learning Research Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Machine Learning Research Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 14% above the average. In contrast, Machine Learning Research Scientist positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Machine Learning Research Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Machine Learning Research Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$148,021$71.014%
Aerospace & Defense$145,424$70.012%
Internet$144,126$69.011%
Biotechnology$142,827$69.010%
Software & Networking$141,529$68.09%

How Education impacts a Machine Learning Research Scientist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Machine Learning Research Scientists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Machine Learning Research Scientist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $122,135 and $128,293).

Machine Learning Research Scientist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Machine Learning Research Scientist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 2.0%
Associates 1.4%
Bachelors 46.1%
Masters 44.2%
Doctorate 6.0%
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Machine Learning Research Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machine Learning Research Scientist'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$119,612
Average $129,843/year
$140,971
$9,968
Average $10,820/month
$11,748
$2,300
Average $2,497/week
$2,711
$58
Average $62/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $140,971 $11,748 $2,711 $68
Average $129,843 $10,820 $2,497 $62
25th Percentile $119,612 $9,968 $2,300 $58

Salaries of jobs related to Machine Learning Research Scientist

Salary Trends for Machine Learning Research Scientist

Salaries for a Machine Learning Research Scientist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $127,299 in 2023 to around $126,047 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Machine Learning Research Scientist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Machine Learning Research Scientist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$127,299
2024
$127,551
2025
$126,047
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $127,299
2024 $127,551
2025 $126,047
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Machine Learning Research Scientist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Machine Learning Research Scientist

Here are companies hiring for Machine Learning Research Scientist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Machine Learning Research Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

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    Columbus, OH

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    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Machine Learning Research Scientist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Machine Learning Research Scientist?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Machine Learning Research Scientist roles, with salaries approximately 14% above the market median.

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.

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