Machine Learning Expert Salary in the United States

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Learning Expert in the United States is $75,795 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,729
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,912 to $81,518
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,556
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View as table View as graph 25% $69,912 10% $64,556 90% $86,729 75% $81,518 $75,795 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Machine Learning Expert Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,518 $6,793 $1,568 $39
Average $75,795 $6,316 $1,458 $36
25th Percentile $69,912 $5,826 $1,344 $34
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Key Factors That Influence Machine Learning Expert Salaries

A Machine Learning Expert'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 Expert Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Learning Expert'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): $74,406
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $74,570
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $76,662
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $79,228
  • Expert (over 8 years): $79,411
Levels Salary
Entry Level Machine Learning Expert$74,406
Intermediate Level Machine Learning Expert$74,570
Senior Level Machine Learning Expert$76,662
Specialist Level Machine Learning Expert$79,228
Expert Level Machine Learning Expert$79,411
$74,406 0 yr
$74,570 < 2 yrs
$76,662 2-4 yrs
$79,228 5-8 yrs
$79,411 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Machine Learning Experts

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: $95,601
  • San Francisco: $94,554
  • Oakland: $92,561

What Skills Can Increase a Machine Learning Expert'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.22%
Cold Calling 2.74%
Transaction Processing 0.95%
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 Expert'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
$90,954
20%
Sales Presentation
$90,954
20%
Career Development
$89,439
18%
Agility
$83,375
10%
Store Management
$83,375
10%
Office Management
$82,617
9%
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Machine Learning Expert Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Machine Learning Expert 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 Expert positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Machine Learning Expert as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Machine Learning Expert

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$83,375$40.010%

How Education impacts a Machine Learning Expert's Salary?

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

Machine Learning Expert Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Machine Learning Expert
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%
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Machine Learning Expert Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machine Learning Expert'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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Machine Learning Expert

Salaries for a Machine Learning Expert can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $67,425 in 2023 to around $67,495 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Machine Learning Expert salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Machine Learning Expert Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$67,425
2024
$68,333
2025
$67,495
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $67,425
2024 $68,333
2025 $67,495
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Machine Learning Expert

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

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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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