TechnologyOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Machine Learning Engineer Salary in New York

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$370,755/yr

Typical range: $315,027 $387,369

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Machine Learning Engineer Salary Progression in New York

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$170,347$14,196
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$210,428$17,536+24%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$237,149$19,762+39%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$274,559$22,880+61%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$370,755$30,896+118%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$464,947$38,746+173%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$488,495$40,708+187%
Current Salary
$370,755
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $178/hr
Next Level Target
$464,947
Principal · 14
+$94Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
94/100
Exceptional
+45% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Machine Learning Engineer salary in New York, NY?

Staff / Lead Machine Learning Engineers in New York, NY earn approximately $371K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Machine Learning Engineer make per hour in New York, NY?

Based on $371K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $178/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Machine Learning Engineer in New York, NY?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Machine Learning Engineer in New York, NY earns $315K–$387K/yr.