Machine Learning Engineer vs Penetration Tester: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Machine Learning Engineer
Design and deploy machine learning models to production systems.
Penetration Tester
Conduct authorised attacks on systems to find and report vulnerabilities.
Penetration Tester earns more on average — the national median is $8,950/year (7%) higher than a Machine Learning Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Machine Learning Engineer vs Penetration Tester — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Machine Learning Engineer | Penetration Tester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $173,682 | $193,496 | Machine $19,814 |
| New York, NY | $135,980 | $140,470 | Machine $4,490 |
| Seattle, WA | $174,792 | $188,841 | Machine $14,049 |
| Austin, TX | $134,974 | $145,769 | Machine $10,795 |
| Chicago, IL | $129,773 | $135,251 | Machine $5,478 |
| Boston, MA | $157,928 | $171,501 | Machine $13,573 |
| London, UK | £78,216 | £102,480 | Machine $24,264 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$134,265 | CA$166,911 | Machine $32,646 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Machine Learning Engineer or Penetration Tester earn more?+
A Penetration Tester earns more on average. The national median salary for a Machine Learning Engineer is $120,230/year, compared to $129,180/year for a Penetration Tester — a difference of $8,950 (7%).
Which has better career growth — Machine Learning Engineer or Penetration Tester?+
Machine Learning Engineer roles are growing at 45% YoY while Penetration Tester demand is growing at 30% YoY. Machine Learning Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Machine Learning Engineer to Penetration Tester?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Python.
Which is harder to automate — Machine Learning Engineer or Penetration Tester?+
Penetration Tester has a lower AI automation risk (22% vs 22%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.