The 27 Best-Paying Cities for Machine Learning Engineers in the United States
Machine learning engineers might be some of the most highly skilled software engineers.
Machine learning engineers develop artificial intelligence algorithms that improve over time. In short, the programs they create “learn” as they work over time so that they can start making predictions or run on their own. Often, machine learning engineers work with data scientists or data engineers to collect, analyze and organize large amounts of data, machine learning models and algorithms.
According to data from the professional social network Blind, the average total compensation of a machine learning engineer in the United States is $120,555 to $397,710.
These are the 27 best-paying cities for machine learning engineers or developers in the United States by average total compensation, including annual cash salary, any stock-based compensation or cash bonus offered, according to the more than 5 million verified professionals on Blind.
1. Menlo Park, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $397,710
- Median total compensation: $343,000
- Average salary: $181,573
- Median base salary: $181,000
2. Cupertino, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $309,695
- Median total compensation: $280,000
- Average salary: $167,999
- Median base salary: $165,000
3. Mountain View, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $297,948
- Median total compensation: $264,000
- Average salary: $170,865
- Median base salary: $165,000
4. Palo Alto, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $295,648
- Median total compensation: $246,500
- Average salary: $158,279
- Median base salary: $157,500
5. Sunnyvale, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $283,510
- Median total compensation: $271,000
- Average salary: $167,809
- Median base salary: $164,150
6. San Francisco
- Average total compensation: $278,618
- Median total compensation: $232,500
- Average salary: $163,015
- Median base salary: $160,000
7. Seattle
- Average total compensation: $272,939
- Median total compensation: $240,000
- Average salary: $155,545
- Median base salary: $153,000
8. Redmond, Wash.
- Average total compensation: $262,500
- Median total compensation: $179,500
- Average salary: $150,125
- Median base salary: $131,500
9. San Jose, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $261,784
- Median total compensation: $265,000
- Average salary: $167,289
- Median base salary: $161,500
10. San Mateo, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $241,266
- Median total compensation: $214,875
- Average salary: $175,558
- Median base salary: $171,500
11. Santa Clara, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $240,871
- Median total compensation: $222,000
- Average salary: $171,114
- Median base salary: $172,500
12. Redwood City, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $230,676
- Median total compensation: $163,000
- Average salary: $144,269
- Median base salary: $130,000
13. Los Angeles
- Average total compensation: $230,028
- Median total compensation: $237,000
- Average salary: $156,828
- Median base salary: $155,000
14. Pittsburgh
- Average total compensation: $217,804
- Median total compensation: $214,000
- Average salary: $152,136
- Median base salary: $155,000
15. New York
- Average total compensation: $215,212
- Median total compensation: $200,000
- Average salary: $155,360
- Median base salary: $157,500
16. Bellevue, Wash.
- Average total compensation: $193,300
- Median total compensation: $184,000
- Average salary: $138,666
- Median base salary: $134,000
17. Austin, Texas
- Average total compensation: $188,605
- Median total compensation: $170,000
- Average salary: $132,952
- Median base salary: $125,000
18. San Diego
- Average total compensation: $179,736
- Median total compensation: $160,000
- Average salary: $137,315
- Median base salary: $132,000
19. Chicago
- Average total compensation: $171,614
- Median total compensation: $127,500
- Average salary: $125,285
- Median base salary: $127,500
20. Hillsboro, Ore.
- Average total compensation: $168,808
- Median total compensation: $173,657
- Average salary: $126,166
- Median base salary: $130,000
21. Irvine, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $165,850
- Median total compensation: $165,000
- Average salary: $156,200
- Median base salary: $165,000
22. Washington, D.C.
- Average total compensation: $164,388
- Median total compensation: $165,000
- Average salary: $145,277
- Median base salary: $142,250
23. Boston
- Average total compensation: $161,540
- Median total compensation: $150,000
- Average salary: $136,597
- Median base salary: $139,000
24. Portland, Ore.
- Average total compensation: $151,250
- Median total compensation: $165,000
- Average salary: $126,000
- Median base salary: $145,000
25. Denver
- Average total compensation: $139,500
- Median total compensation: $134,000
- Average salary: $129,166
- Median base salary: $125,000
26. Atlanta
- Average total compensation: $124,758
- Median total compensation: $123,500
- Average salary: $110,115
- Median base salary: $116,000
27. Dallas
- Average total compensation: $120,555
- Median total compensation: $125,000
- Average salary: $108,100
- Median base salary: $113,500
Methodology
Blind analyzed the base salaries and total compensation of machine learning engineers in the United States on its platform. Cities were ranked by the average total compensation, including base salary and any stock-based compensation or cash bonuses. All data is self-reported by verified professionals on the professional social network Blind.