Machine Learning Engineer Salary in USA 2025
AI, deep learning, and generative AI specialist pay
Average ML Engineer Salary
How Much Do Machine Learning Engineers Earn in 2025?
Machine learning engineers design, build, and deploy ML models and systems at scale. They bridge data science and software engineering—taking research models and turning them into production systems. With the generative AI boom, ML engineers are among the most sought-after and highest-paid tech professionals.
2025 machine learning engineer salaries reflect exceptional demand: average $140,000–$190,000, with FAANG and top AI companies paying $200,000–$400,000+ total compensation. Senior ML engineers earn $180,000–$280,000, and Staff/Principal levels reach $250,000–$500,000+ at top companies.
Generative AI specialization (LLMs, transformers, RAG) commands 25–40% premium over traditional ML roles. The field is experiencing historic demand as companies race to implement AI capabilities across industries. For context, see jobs that pay $100K and salary trends 2025.
Machine Learning Engineer Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| ML Engineer (Average) | $140,000–$190,000 |
| FAANG ML Engineer (TC) | $200,000–$400,000+ |
| Entry-Level ML | $110,000–$150,000 |
| Senior ML Engineer | $180,000–$280,000 |
| Staff/Principal ML | $250,000–$500,000+ |
| AI Research Scientist | $200,000–$500,000+ |
Use our salary calculator for conversions.
ML Engineer vs. Data Scientist vs. AI Engineer Salary
| Role | Salary Range | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $100K–$160K | Analysis, insights, models |
| ML Engineer | $140K–$190K | Production ML systems |
| AI Engineer | $150K–$200K | AI applications, integration |
| Deep Learning Engineer | $160K–$220K | Neural networks, DL models |
| AI Research Scientist | $180K–$350K+ | Novel algorithms, research |
Machine Learning Engineer
Salary: $140,000–$190,000
Builds production ML systems. Skills: Python, TensorFlow/PyTorch, MLOps, distributed computing, feature engineering. Focus on scalability, reliability, monitoring.
AI/Deep Learning Engineer
Salary: $150,000–$220,000
Specializes in neural networks, deep learning architectures. Often works on computer vision, NLP, speech recognition. Higher pay reflects specialized expertise.
AI Research Scientist
Salary: $180,000–$350,000+ (top labs $300K–$500K+)
Develops novel algorithms and architectures. PhD typically required. Works at AI labs (OpenAI, DeepMind, Google Brain). Highest ceiling but most competitive.
Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Years | Base Salary | Total Comp (FAANG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry ML Engineer | 0–2 | $110K–$150K | $150K–$220K |
| ML Engineer | 2–4 | $140K–$180K | $200K–$300K |
| Senior ML Engineer | 4–7 | $170K–$220K | $280K–$400K |
| Staff ML Engineer | 7–10 | $200K–$260K | $350K–$500K |
| Principal/Distinguished | 10+ | $250K–$350K | $500K–$800K+ |
Entry-Level ML Engineer (0–2 Years)
Salary: $110,000–$150,000 base, $150K–$220K TC at FAANG
Strong coding skills, ML fundamentals, academic projects or internships. Often MS/PhD graduates or exceptional bootcamp/self-taught with portfolio.
Senior ML Engineer (4–7 Years)
Salary: $170,000–$220,000 base, $280K–$400K TC
Production ML expertise, system design, mentoring. Leads projects from research to deployment. Deep expertise in specific ML domains.
Staff/Principal ML Engineer (7+ Years)
Salary: $200,000–$350,000+ base, $400K–$800K+ TC
Technical leadership, architecture decisions, organizational impact. Staff at Google: $500K–$700K+ TC. Distinguished engineers can exceed $1M.
Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Location
| Location | Salary Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $170K–$250K+ | +25–35% |
| Seattle, WA | $165K–$240K | +20–30% |
| New York, NY | $160K–$230K | +15–25% |
| Austin, TX | $140K–$200K | +5–15% |
| Remote (US) | $130K–$190K | Variable |
| National Average | $140K–$190K | Baseline |
San Francisco Bay Area (Highest Pay)
Salary: $170,000–$250,000+ (+25–35% premium)
AI capital of the world. OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, and hundreds of AI startups. Highest concentration of ML roles and highest pay.
Remote Work
ML roles increasingly remote-friendly. Some companies pay location-adjusted rates; others (especially AI startups) pay SF-comparable for top talent anywhere. Remote ML engineers earn $130K–$190K typically. See our remote job salary guide.
Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Industry
| Industry | Total Comp Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| AI Labs (OpenAI, Anthropic) | $300K–$700K+ | Research-focused, top talent |
| Big Tech (FAANG) | $200K–$500K+ | Scale, equity, resources |
| AI Startups (Funded) | $180K–$350K | Equity upside, impact |
| Finance/Fintech | $180K–$300K | Trading, risk modeling |
| Healthcare/Biotech | $150K–$250K | Drug discovery, imaging |
| Enterprise Tech | $140K–$220K | Applied ML, B2B |
| Traditional Industries | $120K–$180K | Applying ML to legacy |
AI Labs (Highest Pay)
Total Comp: $300,000–$700,000+
OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepMind, Google Brain, Meta AI. Research scientists and senior engineers at frontier labs. Competition for top talent drives extraordinary compensation.
Big Tech (FAANG)
Total Comp: $200,000–$500,000+
Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft. Significant equity component. L5 ML Engineer at Google: $350K–$450K TC. L6: $450K–$600K+.
Generative AI Specialist Premium
| Specialization | Salary Premium | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|
| LLM Engineering | +25–40% | Transformers, fine-tuning, RAG |
| Computer Vision | +15–25% | CNNs, diffusion models, GANs |
| NLP | +20–30% | Language models, embeddings |
| MLOps | +10–20% | Deployment, monitoring, infra |
| Traditional ML | Baseline | Classification, regression |
LLM/Generative AI Engineers
Premium: +25–40% over traditional ML
Hottest specialization in 2025. Skills: Transformer architectures, prompt engineering, RAG systems, fine-tuning, RLHF. Every company building AI products needs LLM expertise.
How to Increase Your Machine Learning Engineer Salary
Specialize in Generative AI/LLMs
LLM specialists earn $180K–$300K+ versus traditional ML $140K–$190K (+25–40%).
Target AI Labs and FAANG
AI labs pay $300K–$700K+ TC versus general industry $140K–$200K.
Get Advanced Degree (for Research)
PhD opens AI research roles ($200K–$500K+). MS sufficient for most applied ML roles.
Build Production Experience
Production ML systems at scale valued. Move from research/notebooks to deployed systems.
Relocate to Tech Hubs
SF/Seattle pay $165K–$250K+ versus national $140K–$190K (+20–35%).
Progress to Staff/Principal
Staff ML at FAANG: $400K–$600K+ TC versus senior $280K–$400K.
See our salary negotiation guide for strategies.
Career Path and Related Roles
| Career Stage | Position | Total Comp Range |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Software Engineer / Data Scientist | $100K–$160K |
| Entry ML | ML Engineer | $140K–$200K |
| Senior | Senior ML Engineer | $200K–$350K |
| Staff | Staff ML Engineer | $350K–$550K |
| Principal | Principal/Distinguished | $500K–$1M+ |
Related Roles
Data Scientist: $100,000–$160,000
Software Engineer: $100,000–$180,000
AI Research Scientist: $180,000–$500,000+
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average machine learning engineer salary in 2025?
Machine learning engineers earn $140,000–$190,000 on average. FAANG ML engineers earn $200K–$400K+ total comp. Senior ML engineers make $180K–$280K, Staff $250K–$500K+. AI labs (OpenAI, Anthropic) pay $300K–$700K+ for top talent.
Can ML engineers make $300K?
Yes, commonly at top companies. Senior ML at FAANG: $280K–$400K TC. Staff ML: $350K–$550K. AI labs and funded startups pay $300K+ for experienced engineers. See jobs that pay $100K.
Is machine learning engineering a good career in 2025?
Exceptional career. Highest-paying tech specialty, explosive demand from generative AI, fascinating work. Requires strong fundamentals (math, CS, ML theory). Job market very strong with growth projected for 5+ years. Best for those who enjoy continuous learning.
Do I need a PhD to be an ML engineer?
No for applied ML engineering. MS sufficient for most roles; strong self-taught with portfolio can break in. PhD valuable for research scientist roles at AI labs. FAANG hires MS and experienced engineers without advanced degrees.
What's the difference between ML engineer and data scientist?
Data scientists focus on analysis, insights, and building models (often in notebooks). ML engineers focus on productionizing ML—deploying models at scale, building pipelines, monitoring, MLOps. ML engineers typically have stronger software engineering skills and earn $140K–$190K versus data scientists $100K–$160K.