🤖 Salary data · BLS OEWS 2025
Machine Learning Engineer Salary in the US
A Machine Learning Engineer earns a national median of $140,300 per year. Here is how pay breaks down across US metro areas.
In Brief
Machine Learning Engineer (BLS occupation 15-1221) earns a national median of $140,300 and a mean of $153,930 per year as of 2025. The highest-paying metro is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $218,420. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
National pay
Top-paying US metro areas
Ranked by median annual wage · BLS OEWS 2025
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Core skills for Machine Learning Engineer
About this data
All wages come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, 2025 release, mapped to occupation code 15-1221 (Computer and Information Research Scientists). Figures are gross annual wages before tax and reflect employees only — self-employed and freelance earnings are not included.
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How much does a Machine Learning Engineer earn in the US?▼
The national median wage for a Machine Learning Engineer is $140,300 per year (mean $153,930), per the BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics for 2025.
Which US cities pay Machine Learning Engineers the most?▼
The top-paying metro areas are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ($218,420), Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ($211,270), Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro ($206,220).
Where does this Machine Learning Engineer salary data come from?▼
All figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, 2025 release, occupation code 15-1221. Wages are gross annual, before tax.
Is Machine Learning Engineer a well-paid career?▼
At a median of $140,300/year, Machine Learning Engineer pay sits above the US median for all occupations. Pay varies widely by metro — see the city table above.