AI/ML Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an AI/ML Specialist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an AI/ML Specialist in the United States is $119,376 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, an AI/ML Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $133,913
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,884 to $126,985
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,973

Key Factors That Influence AI/ML Specialist Salaries

An AI/ML Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects AI/ML Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an AI/ML Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $79,142
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,935
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,791
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $132,560
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,314
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Labor Relations Specialist II less than 1 year $79,142
Labor Relations Specialist III 1-2 years $95,935
AI/ML Specialist 2-4 years $117,791
Labor Relations Manager 5-8 years $132,560
Labor Relations Director over 8 years $150,314

Top Paying Cities for AI/ML Specialist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $150,569
  • San Francisco: $148,920
  • Oakland: $145,782

AI/ML Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For AI/ML Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Business Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, AI/ML Specialist positions in Transportation or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view AI/ML Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an AI/ML Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services $143,251 $69.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $140,864 $68.0 18%
Construction $137,282 $66.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $133,701 $64.0 12%
Healthcare $131,314 $63.0 10%

How Education impacts an AI/ML Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many AI/ML Specialist professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an AI/ML Specialist with a Bachelor's is between $127,649 and $135,454.

AI/ML Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for AI/ML Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 6.7%
High School 6.7%
Associate's Degree 6.7%
Bachelor's Degree 33.3%
Master's Degree or MBA 6.7%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 46.7%

AI/ML Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an AI/ML Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$112,884
Average $119,376/year
$126,985
$9,407
Average $9,948/month
$10,582
$2,171
Average $2,296/week
$2,442
$54
Average $57/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $126,985 $10,582 $2,442 $61
Average $119,376 $9,948 $2,296 $57
25th Percentile $112,884 $9,407 $2,171 $54

Most common benefits for AI/ML Specialist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for AI/ML Specialist

Here are companies hiring for AI/ML Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next AI/ML Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current AI/ML Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    4 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about AI/ML Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for AI/ML Specialist?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for AI/ML Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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