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.
$366,338/yr
Typical range: $311,275 – $382,755
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 | $168,318 | $14,027 | — |
| Junior | 2 yrs | 2 yrs | $207,922 | $17,327 | +24% |
| Mid-Level | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | $234,325 | $19,527 | +39% |
| Senior | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | $271,288 | $22,607 | +61% |
| StaffThis page | 10 yrs | 10 yrs | $366,338 | $30,528 | +118% |
| Principal | 14 yrs | 14 yrs | $459,408 | $38,284 | +173% |
| Distinguished | 18 yrs | 18 yrs | $482,676 | $40,223 | +187% |
Current Salary
$366,338
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $176/hr
Next Level Target
$459,408
Principal · 14
+$93Kpotential 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 $366K 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 $366K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $176/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 $311K–$383K/yr.