Machine Learning Scientist Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Learning Scientist in the United States is $119,033 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $135,320
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,305 to $127,558
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,269
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View as table View as graph 25% $111,305 10% $104,269 90% $135,320 75% $127,558 $119,033 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Machine Learning Scientist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $127,558 $10,630 $2,453 $61
Average $119,033 $9,919 $2,289 $57
25th Percentile $111,305 $9,275 $2,140 $54
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Key Factors That Influence Machine Learning Scientist Salaries

A Machine Learning 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Machine Learning Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Learning 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): $116,349
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $116,886
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,959
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $121,222
  • Expert (over 8 years): $124,390
Levels Salary
Entry Level Machine Learning Scientist$116,349
Intermediate Level Machine Learning Scientist$116,886
Senior Level Machine Learning Scientist$117,959
Specialist Level Machine Learning Scientist$121,222
Expert Level Machine Learning Scientist$124,390
$116,349 0 yr
$116,886 < 2 yrs
$117,959 2-4 yrs
$121,222 5-8 yrs
$124,390 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Machine Learning 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: $150,136
  • San Francisco: $148,660
  • Oakland: $145,363

What Skills Can Increase a Machine Learning Scientist'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 Machine Learning Scientist'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
$123,794
4%
Team Building
$123,794
4%
Active Learning
$123,794
4%
Presentation
$123,794
4%
Continuous Learning
$122,604
3%
Data Structure
$121,414
2%
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Machine Learning Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machine Learning 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.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Machine Learning Scientist

Salaries for a Machine Learning Scientist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $132,842 in 2023 to around $129,741 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Machine Learning Scientist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Machine Learning Scientist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$132,842
2024
$131,451
2025
$129,741
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $132,842
2024 $131,451
2025 $129,741
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Machine Learning Scientist

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

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

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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.)

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