Data Engineer vs Machine Learning Engineer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Data Engineer
Build and maintain data pipelines, warehouses, and ETL infrastructure.
Machine Learning Engineer
Design and deploy machine learning models to production systems.
Data Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $19,270/year (16%) higher than a Machine Learning Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Data Engineer vs Machine Learning Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Data Engineer | Machine Learning Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $202,499 | $173,682 | Data +$28,817 |
| New York, NY | $131,540 | $135,980 | Data $4,440 |
| Seattle, WA | $105,430 | $174,792 | Data $69,362 |
| Austin, TX | $153,836 | $134,974 | Data +$18,862 |
| Chicago, IL | $154,010 | $129,773 | Data +$24,237 |
| Boston, MA | $179,962 | $157,928 | Data +$22,034 |
| London, UK | £108,711 | £78,216 | Data +$30,495 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$181,115 | CA$134,265 | Data +$46,850 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer earn more?+
A Data Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Data Engineer is $139,500/year, compared to $120,230/year for a Machine Learning Engineer — a difference of $19,270 (16%).
Which has better career growth — Data Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer?+
Data Engineer roles are growing at 34% YoY while Machine Learning Engineer demand is growing at 45% YoY. Machine Learning Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Data Engineer to Machine Learning Engineer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Python.
Which is harder to automate — Data Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer?+
Machine Learning Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (22% vs 42%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.