TechnologyOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years
Staff / Lead NLP Engineer Salary in New York
2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.
$201,250/yr
Typical range: $173,160 – $216,030
P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data
NLP Engineer salary by experience level in New York
NLP Engineer Salary Progression in New York
From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data
| Experience Level | Years | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | vs Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0 yrs | 0 yrs | $92,466 | $7,706 | — |
| Junior | 2 yrs | 2 yrs | $114,223 | $9,519 | +24% |
| Mid-Level | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | $128,728 | $10,727 | +39% |
| Senior | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | $149,034 | $12,420 | +61% |
| StaffThis page | 10 yrs | 10 yrs | $201,250 | $16,771 | +118% |
| Principal | 14 yrs | 14 yrs | $252,379 | $21,032 | +173% |
| Distinguished | 18 yrs | 18 yrs | $265,161 | $22,097 | +187% |
Current Salary
$201,250
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $97/hr
Next Level Target
$252,379
Principal · 14
+$51Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
91/100
Exceptional
+42% demand · Low AI risk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the staff / lead NLP Engineer salary in New York, NY?
Staff / Lead NLP Engineers in New York, NY earn approximately $201K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.
How much does a staff / lead NLP Engineer make per hour in New York, NY?
Based on $201K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $97/hr (2,080-hour work year).
How do I get from staff / lead to senior NLP Engineer in New York, NY?
The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior NLP Engineer in New York, NY earns $173K–$216K/yr.