TechnologyOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1000–2 years

Entry Level NLP Engineer Salary in Los Angeles

2026 · Recent graduates and professionals with under 2 years of experience.

$154,336/yr

Typical range: $146,777 $180,482

P10–P25 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

NLP Engineer Salary Progression in Los Angeles

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

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
EntryThis page0 yrs0 yrs$154,336$12,861
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$190,650$15,888+24%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$214,859$17,905+39%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$248,753$20,729+61%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$335,907$27,992+118%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$421,245$35,104+173%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$442,580$36,882+187%
Current Salary
$154,336
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $74/hr
Next Level Target
$190,650
Junior · 2
+$36Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
91/100
Exceptional
+42% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level NLP Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?

Entry Level NLP Engineers in Los Angeles, CA earn approximately $154K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P10–P25 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a entry level NLP Engineer make per hour in Los Angeles, CA?

Based on $154K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $74/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from entry level to senior NLP Engineer in Los Angeles, CA?

The typical progression takes 4–6 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior NLP Engineer in Los Angeles, CA earns $285K–$351K/yr.