Senior Machine Learnng Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Machine Learnng Engineer in the United States is $119,956 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $137,668
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,671 to $129,227
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,038
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View as table View as graph 25% $112,671 10% $106,038 90% $137,668 75% $129,227 $119,956 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Machine Learnng Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $129,227 $10,769 $2,485 $62
Average $119,956 $9,996 $2,307 $58
25th Percentile $112,671 $9,389 $2,167 $54
Check out Senior Machine Learnng Engineer Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Senior Machine Learnng Engineer Salaries

A Senior Machine Learnng 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 Machine Learnng Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Machine Learnng 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): $90,672
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $106,129
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,274
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $154,939
  • Expert (over 8 years): $172,324
Levels Salary
AI Engine... Level Senior Machine Learnng Engineer$90,672
AI Engine... Level Senior Machine Learnng Engineer$106,129
Senior Ma... Level Senior Machine Learnng Engineer$119,274
AI Engine... Level Senior Machine Learnng Engineer$154,939
AI Engine... Level Senior Machine Learnng Engineer$172,324
$90,672 0 yr
$106,129 < 2 yrs
$119,274 2-4 yrs
$154,939 5-8 yrs
$172,324 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Senior Machine Learnng Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Senior Machine Learnng Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $132,815.
  • California: $132,311.
  • Massachusetts: $130,548.

Top Paying Cities for Senior Machine Learnng 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: $151,301
  • San Francisco: $149,644
  • Oakland: $146,490

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Machine Learnng 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 Machine Learnng 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
$124,754
4%
Team Building
$124,754
4%
Active Learning
$124,754
4%
Presentation
$124,754
4%
Continuous Learning
$123,555
3%
Data Structure
$122,355
2%
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Senior Machine Learnng Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Senior Machine Learnng 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 Machine Learnng Engineer positions in Transportation or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Machine Learnng Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Senior Machine Learnng Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$167,938$81.040%
Biotechnology$149,945$72.025%
Financial Services$149,945$72.025%
Insurance$137,949$66.015%
Energy & Utilities$131,952$63.010%

Senior Machine Learnng Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Machine Learnng 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Senior Machine Learnng Engineer

Salaries for a Senior Machine Learnng Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $132,611 in 2023 to around $129,516 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Senior Machine Learnng Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Senior Machine Learnng Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$132,611
2024
$131,223
2025
$129,516
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $132,611
2024 $131,223
2025 $129,516
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Senior Machine Learnng Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Senior Machine Learnng Engineer

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

Find Your Next Senior Machine Learnng Engineer Job

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

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    16 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

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    16 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

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  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    18 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    19 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    19 Days Ago

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FAQ about Senior Machine Learnng Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Senior Machine Learnng Engineer?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Senior Machine Learnng Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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.)

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