As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for ai ml engineer in the US is $136,742, equivalent to $66 per hour, $2,630 weekly, or $11,395 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for ai ml engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for ai ml engineer in the US vary widely, spanning from $121,031 to $156,904. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($128,518) and 75th percentile ($147,296), while top earners (90th percentile) make $156,904 per year. This $18,778 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Data Science, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia ai ml engineer often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 73 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
