Site Reliability 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.
Site Reliability Engineer
Ensure platform reliability, scalability, and uptime at scale.
Machine Learning Engineer
Design and deploy machine learning models to production systems.
Machine Learning Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $21,100/year (21%) higher than a Site Reliability Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Site Reliability Engineer vs Machine Learning Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Site Reliability Engineer | Machine Learning Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $142,771 | $173,682 | Site $30,911 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $135,980 | Site $16,590 |
| Seattle, WA | $137,435 | $174,792 | Site $37,357 |
| Austin, TX | $112,635 | $134,974 | Site $22,339 |
| Chicago, IL | $108,126 | $129,773 | Site $21,647 |
| Boston, MA | $129,849 | $157,928 | Site $28,079 |
| London, UK | £79,751 | £78,216 | Site +$1,535 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,006 | CA$134,265 | Site +$741 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Site Reliability Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer earn more?+
A Machine Learning Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Site Reliability Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $120,230/year for a Machine Learning Engineer — a difference of $21,100 (21%).
Which has better career growth — Site Reliability Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer?+
Site Reliability Engineer roles are growing at 27% YoY while Machine Learning Engineer demand is growing at 45% YoY. Machine Learning Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Site Reliability Engineer to Machine Learning Engineer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Kubernetes, Python.
Which is harder to automate — Site Reliability Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer?+
Machine Learning Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (22% vs 35%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.