ML Research Engineer Salary — 2026 Data
Bridge research and production: train novel models and ship them into real products. Compare compensation across 50 locations, from entry-level to senior positions.
| Location | Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Senior | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $176K – $243K | $230K – $324K | $297K – $473K | 180 |
| New York | $166K – $230K | $218K – $307K | $282K – $448K | 170 |
| San Jose | $174K – $241K | $228K – $322K | $295K – $469K | 178 |
| Seattle | $159K – $220K | $207K – $293K | $268K – $427K | 155 |
| Los Angeles | $150K – $207K | $195K – $276K | $253K – $402K | 150 |
| Boston | $153K – $212K | $201K – $283K | $260K – $413K | 145 |
| Washington D.C. | $156K – $216K | $204K – $288K | $264K – $420K | 150 |
| San Diego | $146K – $202K | $190K – $269K | $246K – $392K | 140 |
| Chicago | $137K – $189K | $179K – $252K | $231K – $368K | 115 |
| Austin | $140K – $194K | $184K – $259K | $238K – $378K | 110 |
| Denver | $137K – $189K | $179K – $252K | $231K – $368K | 120 |
| Atlanta | $130K – $180K | $170K – $240K | $220K – $350K | 105 |
| Dallas | $130K – $180K | $170K – $240K | $220K – $350K | 105 |
| Houston | $129K – $178K | $168K – $238K | $218K – $347K | 102 |
| Miami | $137K – $189K | $179K – $252K | $231K – $368K | 125 |
| Phoenix | $124K – $171K | $162K – $228K | $209K – $333K | 100 |
| Philadelphia | $133K – $184K | $173K – $245K | $224K – $357K | 110 |
| Minneapolis | $133K – $184K | $173K – $245K | $224K – $357K | 108 |
| Portland | $140K – $194K | $184K – $259K | $238K – $378K | 130 |
| San Antonio | $120K – $166K | $156K – $221K | $202K – $322K | 95 |
| Detroit | $122K – $169K | $160K – $226K | $207K – $329K | 95 |
| Raleigh | $127K – $176K | $167K – $235K | $216K – $343K | 102 |
| Charlotte | $127K – $176K | $167K – $235K | $216K – $343K | 102 |
| Nashville | $129K – $178K | $168K – $238K | $218K – $347K | 105 |
| Orlando | $124K – $171K | $162K – $228K | $209K – $333K | 102 |
| Tampa | $125K – $173K | $163K – $230K | $211K – $336K | 100 |
| Jacksonville | $120K – $166K | $156K – $221K | $202K – $322K | 98 |
| Salt Lake City | $127K – $176K | $167K – $235K | $216K – $343K | 108 |
| Pittsburgh | $120K – $166K | $156K – $221K | $202K – $322K | 95 |
| Indianapolis | $120K – $166K | $156K – $221K | $202K – $322K | 95 |
| Columbus | $121K – $167K | $158K – $223K | $205K – $326K | 95 |
| Cleveland | $117K – $162K | $153K – $216K | $198K – $315K | 92 |
| Cincinnati | $118K – $164K | $155K – $218K | $200K – $319K | 94 |
| Kansas City | $122K – $169K | $160K – $226K | $207K – $329K | 95 |
| St. Louis | $120K – $166K | $156K – $221K | $202K – $322K | 92 |
| Milwaukee | $121K – $167K | $158K – $223K | $205K – $326K | 94 |
| Baltimore | $130K – $180K | $170K – $240K | $220K – $350K | 108 |
| Richmond | $124K – $171K | $162K – $228K | $209K – $333K | 100 |
| Virginia Beach | $122K – $169K | $160K – $226K | $207K – $329K | 98 |
| Sacramento | $137K – $189K | $179K – $252K | $231K – $368K | 125 |
| Las Vegas | $127K – $176K | $167K – $235K | $216K – $343K | 108 |
| Oklahoma City | $114K – $158K | $150K – $211K | $194K – $308K | 88 |
| Memphis | $114K – $158K | $150K – $211K | $194K – $308K | 88 |
| Louisville | $117K – $162K | $153K – $216K | $198K – $315K | 90 |
| New Orleans | $120K – $166K | $156K – $221K | $202K – $322K | 95 |
| Albuquerque | $117K – $162K | $153K – $216K | $198K – $315K | 95 |
| Tucson | $117K – $162K | $153K – $216K | $198K – $315K | 95 |
| Buffalo | $117K – $162K | $153K – $216K | $198K – $315K | 90 |
| Honolulu | $137K – $189K | $179K – $252K | $231K – $368K | 175 |
| Remote (US) | $124K – $171K | $162K – $228K | $209K – $333K | 100 |
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