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Machine Learning Consultant Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Learning Consultant in the United States is $75,808 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,885
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,013 to $81,606
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,736
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Machine Learning Consultant Salaries

A Machine Learning Consultant'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 Consultant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Learning Consultant'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): $74,440
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $74,601
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $76,676
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $79,280
  • Expert (over 8 years): $79,466
Levels Salary
Entry Level Machine Learning Consultant$74,440
Intermediate Level Machine Learning Consultant$74,601
Senior Level Machine Learning Consultant$76,676
Specialist Level Machine Learning Consultant$79,280
Expert Level Machine Learning Consultant$79,466
View as Graph

How Do Machine Learning Consultant 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 Machine Learning Consultants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $83,935.
  • California: $83,616.
  • Massachusetts: $82,502.

Top Paying Cities for Machine Learning Consultants

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: $95,617
  • San Francisco: $94,570
  • Oakland: $92,577

What Skills Can Increase a Machine Learning Consultant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.22% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Cold Calling (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): Cold calling is the solicitation of business from potential customers who have had no prior contact with the salesperson conducting the call. It is an attempt to convince potential customers to purchase either the salesperson's product or service. Generally, it is referred as an over-the-phone process, making it a source of telemarketing, but can also be done in-person by door-to-door salespeople. Though cold calling can be used as a legitimate business tool, scammers can use cold calling as well.
  • Transaction Processing (Mentioned in 0.95% Job Postings): Transaction processing is information processing in computer science that is divided into individual, indivisible operations called transactions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.22%
Cold Calling 2.74%
Transaction Processing 0.95%
See More Skills

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 Consultant's salary.

  • Merchandising: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Sales Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Career Development: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Merchandising $90,970
20%
Sales Presentation $90,970
20%
Career Development $89,454
18%
Get Latest Data

Machine Learning Consultant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Machine Learning Consultant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Financial Services, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Machine Learning Consultant positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Machine Learning Consultant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Machine Learning Consultant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$83,389$40.010%

How Education impacts a Machine Learning Consultant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Machine Learning Consultants enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Consultant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $64,428 and $71,312).

Machine Learning Consultant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Machine Learning Consultant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 25.3%
Associates 11.4%
Bachelors 57.0%
Masters 3.8%
Doctorate 1.3%
View as Graph

Machine Learning Consultant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machine Learning Consultant'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
$70,013
Average $75,808/year
$81,606
$5,834
Average $6,317/month
$6,801
$1,346
Average $1,458/week
$1,569
$34
Average $36/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $81,606 $6,801 $1,569 $39
Average $75,808 $6,317 $1,458 $36
25th Percentile $70,013 $5,834 $1,346 $34

Most common benefits for Machine Learning Consultant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Machine Learning Consultant

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

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FAQ about Machine Learning Consultant

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Machine Learning Consultant roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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