What are the main factors that influence a Machine Learning Software Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change a Machine Learning Software Engineer's salary?

A Machine Learning Software Engineer's salary grows with experience: starting around $135,627 for beginners, reaching about $138,116 at mid-level, and approach $147,475 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Machine Learning Software Engineer?

Machine Learning Software Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Machine Learning Software Engineer roles are District of Columbia $141,509, California $140,972, Massachusetts $139,093. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Machine Learning Software Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Machine Learning Software Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Lead Machine Learning Engineer: $176,230; Machine Learning Engineer V: $176,216; Machine Learning Engineer IV: $158,373; Principal Machine Learning Engineer: $158,360; Machine Learning Engineer Intern: $133,339.

Machine Learning Software Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Machine Learning Software Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Learning Software Engineer in District of Columbia is $141,509 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $164,997
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $130,485 to $153,803
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $120,447

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Machine Learning Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$153,803	$12,817	$2,958	$74
Average	$141,509	$11,792	$2,721	$68
25th Percentile	$130,485	$10,874	$2,509	$63

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Machine Learning Software Engineer Salaries

A Machine Learning Software Engineer'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 Software Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Learning Software Engineer'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): $135,627
Early Career (1-2 years): $136,457
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $138,116
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $144,221
Expert (over 8 years): $147,475

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Machine Learning Software Engineer	$135,627
Intermediate Level Machine Learning Software Engineer	$136,457
Senior Level Machine Learning Software Engineer	$138,116
Specialist Level Machine Learning Software Engineer	$144,221
Expert Level Machine Learning Software Engineer	$147,475

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Machine Learning Software Engineer 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 Software Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $141,509.
California: $140,972.
Massachusetts: $139,093.

District of Columbia $141,509 California $140,972 Massachusetts $139,093 Washington $138,582 New Jersey $138,531 Alaska $138,352 Connecticut $136,588 New York $135,873

Hawaii $133,585 Rhode Island $132,511 Maryland $131,783 Minnesota $130,786 Colorado $130,403 Illinois $130,275 Oregon $129,789 Delaware $129,431

New Hampshire $129,206 Virginia $128,703 Pennsylvania $127,233 Nevada $126,492 North Dakota $126,249 Michigan $125,865 Wisconsin $125,725 Vermont $125,444

Texas $124,664 Maine $124,613 Arizona $124,536 Ohio $124,447 Georgia $123,271 Indiana $122,683 Wyoming $122,568 Utah $122,389

Iowa $122,312 Kansas $121,699 Louisiana $121,520 North Carolina $121,456 Missouri $121,430 Florida $120,932 Montana $120,664 Nebraska $120,408

Kentucky $120,267 South Carolina $119,756 Tennessee $119,437 Idaho $119,309 New Mexico $118,376 Oklahoma $118,171 Alabama $117,417 South Dakota $116,152

Arkansas $115,462 West Virginia $115,091 Mississippi $113,979

Top Paying Cities for Machine Learning Software Engineers

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:

Parcel Return Service: $141,509
Washington: $141,509
Naval Anacost Annex: $141,509

Parcel Return Service, DC $141,509 Washington, DC $141,509 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $141,509 Washington Navy Yard, DC $141,509

Machine Learning Software Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Machine Learning Software Engineer'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

$130,485

Average $141,509/year

$153,803

$10,874

Average $11,792/month

$12,817

$2,509

Average $2,721/week

$2,958

$63

Average $68/hour

$74

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$153,803	$12,817	$2,958	$74
Average	$141,509	$11,792	$2,721	$68
25th Percentile	$130,485	$10,874	$2,509	$63

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