How ML Engineers Are Earning $300K+ in 2025 (And How You Can Too)

Have you ever looked at a job post offering $240,000+ total compensation for a Machine Learning Engineer and wondered: "Is this even real?"

The truth is, yes — but only if you understand the full compensation package, not just the base salary.

💡 Our 2025 ML Engineer Salary Survey (500+ professionals) revealed:

• Average Total Compensation: $218,500
• Base Salary: $172,000
• Bonus: $21,500
• Equity (RSUs/Stock): $25,000

This shows why focusing only on base pay means leaving a huge chunk of money on the table.

What Drives the Big Numbers?

• Experience: Entry-level engineers earn ~$120K, while Principals can exceed $700K+.
• Location: Austin and Atlanta deliver stronger “real earning power” than San Francisco or New York when factoring in cost of living.
• Specialization: Skills in MLOps, Generative AI, NLP, and Computer Vision bring salary premiums up to +25%.

Key Takeaway

If you want to join the top 10% of ML engineers, you need to:

1. Master a high-demand specialization.
2. Understand total compensation (base + bonus + equity).
3. Negotiate strategically with data-driven insights.

👉 Read the full article here: Machine Learning Engineer Salary in 2025: What the Top 10% Really Earn