As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Learning Researcher in the United States is $131,482 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Machine Learning Researcher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Machine Learning Researcher'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Learning Researcher'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level Machine Learning Researcher | $82,900 |
| Software ... Level Machine Learning Researcher | $106,682 |
| Machine L... Level Machine Learning Researcher | $130,652 |
| Software ... Level Machine Learning Researcher | $151,163 |
| Software ... Level Machine Learning Researcher | $173,764 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Researchers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 2.68% |
| Software Development | 4.7% |
| Software Engineering | 2.8% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Open Source
|
$136,741 |
4%
|
|
Container
|
$135,426 |
3%
|
|
Innovation
|
$135,426 |
3%
|
|
Kubernetes
|
$135,426 |
3%
|
|
Python
|
$134,112 |
2%
|
|
AWS
|
$134,112 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Machine Learning Researchers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Researcher with a Bachelor's Degree is between $122,135 and $128,293).
Machine Learning Researcher Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 2.0% |
| Associates | 1.4% |
| Bachelors | 46.1% |
| Masters | 44.2% |
| Doctorate | 6.0% |
Understanding how a Machine Learning Researcher'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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a Machine Learning Researcher can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $128,899 in 2023 to around $127,631 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Machine Learning Researcher salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $128,899 |
| 2024 | $129,154 |
| 2025 | $127,631 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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