What are the main factors that influence a ML 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 ML Engineer's salary?

A ML Engineer's salary grows with experience: an AI Engineer I (0-2 years)earns $91,343, an AI Engineer II (2-4 years)earns $106,917, an ML Engineer (4-7 years)earns $120,172, an AI Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $156,088, an AI Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $173,616,

What are the highest paying states for a ML Engineer?

ML Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for ML Engineer roles are District of Columbia $132,137, California $131,635, Massachusetts $129,881. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of ML Engineer roles make?

Salaries for ML Engineer level roles vary by specialization: ML Data Linguist: $139,008; ML Researcher: $137,246; ai ml engineer: $136,655; AI/ML Annotation Analyst: $136,494; AI/ML Developer: $134,088.

ML Engineer Salary in Delaware

How much does a ML Engineer make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a ML Engineer in Delaware is $120,859 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,718
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $113,525 to $130,207
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,847

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ML Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$130,207	$10,851	$2,504	$63
Average	$120,859	$10,072	$2,324	$58
25th Percentile	$113,525	$9,460	$2,183	$55

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Key Factors That Influence ML Engineer Salaries

A ML 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 ML Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a ML 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): $91,343
Early Career (1-2 years): $106,917
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $120,172
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $156,088
Expert (over 8 years): $173,616

Levels	Salary
AI Engine... Level ML Engineer	$91,343
AI Engine... Level ML Engineer	$106,917
ML Engine... Level ML Engineer	$120,172
AI Engine... Level ML Engineer	$156,088
AI Engine... Level ML Engineer	$173,616

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What Am I Worth?

How Do ML 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 ML Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $132,137.
California: $131,635.
Massachusetts: $129,881.

District of Columbia $132,137 California $131,635 Massachusetts $129,881 Washington $129,404 New Jersey $129,356 Alaska $129,189 Connecticut $127,542 New York $126,874

Hawaii $124,737 Rhode Island $123,735 Maryland $123,055 Minnesota $122,124 Colorado $121,766 Illinois $121,646 Oregon $121,193 Delaware $120,859

New Hampshire $120,649 Virginia $120,178 Pennsylvania $118,806 Nevada $118,114 North Dakota $117,887 Michigan $117,529 Wisconsin $117,398 Vermont $117,135

Texas $116,407 Maine $116,359 Arizona $116,288 Ohio $116,204 Georgia $115,106 Indiana $114,557 Wyoming $114,450 Utah $114,283

Iowa $114,211 Kansas $113,638 Louisiana $113,471 North Carolina $113,412 Missouri $113,388 Florida $112,922 Montana $112,672 Nebraska $112,433

Kentucky $112,302 South Carolina $111,824 Tennessee $111,526 Idaho $111,407 New Mexico $110,535 Oklahoma $110,345 Alabama $109,640 South Dakota $108,459

Arkansas $107,814 West Virginia $107,468 Mississippi $106,430

Top Paying Cities for ML 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:

Lincoln: $120,314
Little Creek: $121,195
Magnolia: $121,021

Lincoln, DE $120,314 Little Creek, DE $121,195 Magnolia, DE $121,021 Milford, DE $120,620 Marydel, DE $120,818 Millsboro, DE $119,810 Millville, DE $119,995 Milton, DE $120,202

Nassau, DE $120,289 Ocean View, DE $119,974 Rehoboth Beach, DE $120,205 Seaford, DE $120,273 Selbyville, DE $119,775 Smyrna, DE $121,279 Viola, DE $120,720 Woodside, DE $121,045

Bear, DE $120,766 Newark, DE $120,720 Claymont, DE $120,967 Delaware City, DE $120,841 Hockessin, DE $120,709 Kirkwood, DE $120,818 Middletown, DE $120,865 Montchanin, DE $120,737

New Castle, DE $120,755 Odessa, DE $120,924 Port Penn, DE $121,005 Rockland, DE $120,749 Saint Georges, DE $120,826 Townsend, DE $121,013 Winterthur, DE $120,763 Lewes, DE $120,249

Wilmington, DE $120,715 Dover, DE $121,195 Dover Afb, DE $120,557 Bethany Beach, DE $119,848 Bethel, DE $119,972 Bridgeville, DE $120,255 Camden Wyoming, DE $120,854 Cheswold, DE $121,156

Clayton, DE $121,159 Dagsboro, DE $119,764 Delmar, DE $119,572 Ellendale, DE $119,935 Felton, DE $120,610 Fenwick Island, DE $119,791 Frankford, DE $119,582 Frederica, DE $120,730

Georgetown, DE $119,719 Greenwood, DE $120,274 Harbeson, DE $119,847 Harrington, DE $120,458 Hartly, DE $120,832 Houston, DE $120,286 Kenton, DE $121,165 Laurel, DE $119,647

Yorklyn, DE $120,745

ML Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For ML Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, ML Engineer positions in Transportation or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view ML Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a ML Engineer

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals	$169,202	$81.0	40%
Biotechnology	$151,073	$73.0	25%
Financial Services	$151,073	$73.0	25%
Insurance	$138,987	$67.0	15%
Energy & Utilities	$132,945	$64.0	10%

ML Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a ML 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 July 01, 2026

$113,525

Average $120,859/year

$130,207

$9,460

Average $10,072/month

$10,851

$2,183

Average $2,324/week

$2,504

$55

Average $58/hour

$63

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$130,207	$10,851	$2,504	$63
Average	$120,859	$10,072	$2,324	$58
25th Percentile	$113,525	$9,460	$2,183	$55

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