Chief Machine Learning Officer.
Lexington.
$266,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$207,000 to $345,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Lexington is 14% cheaper than the national average. For Chief Machine Learning Officers, that shakes out to a median of $266,000, with the full range spanning $207,000 to $345,000. Model complexity, data pipeline scale, and infrastructure cost optimization are the primary drivers. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $239,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$173,000
to $213,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$226,000
to $279,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$293,000
to $346,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$333,000
to $412,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $185,000 to the total package.
Base
$266,000
Equity
$101,000
Bonus
$63,000
Signing
$21,000
Estimated total: $451,000
How Lexington compares
Lexington, KY
$266,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$300,000
Lexington is $34,000 below
Chief Machine Learning Officer salary by city
Salary by role in Lexington
What you should know
The Chief Machine Learning Officer landscape in Lexington is not what most salary sites will tell you. Lexington is Kentucky's second largest city with an economy driven by the University of Kentucky, healthcare, and the equine industry. A growing tech startup scene and affordable cost of living are attracting remote workers. The bourbon and manufacturing sectors also contribute to the local economy. Model complexity, data pipeline scale, and infrastructure cost optimization are the primary drivers. Chief Machine Learning Officers with experience across the full ML lifecycle, from research prototyping to production serving, earn more than those focused on a single phase. Domain expertise in high-stakes verticals like healthcare, finance, or autonomous systems adds measurable premiums.
Chief Machine Learning Officers typically earn $234,000 to $390,000, with top performers at large organizations reaching $507,000. Lateral moves into adjacent executive functions or board advisory roles are common progression paths. C-suite advancement depends on demonstrated business impact and organizational scope. In Lexington, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at top-tier companies adds 30% to 60% above base salary. Annual bonuses of 15% to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $75,000 are common when changing roles. Refresher equity grants vest annually. Relocation packages and executive benefits like financial planning are typical. And on the tax side: kentucky has a flat 4% state income tax. Lexington has an occupational tax of about 2.25%. The combined rate is moderate and the very affordable housing stretches salaries further. When someone quotes you $266,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage UK Health and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries in Lexington. The range for Chief Machine Learning Officers in Lexington runs from $207,000 to $345,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Staff Quantitative Researcher in Lexington earns $267,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Lexington is Principal Quantitative Researcher at $307,000
Common questions.
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