Director of Machine Learning.
Baton Rouge.
$202,000
median salary, 10% below the national average
$158,000 to $263,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Director of Machine Learning pay in Baton Rouge ranges from $158,000 to $263,000 in 2026. The median is $202,000, 10% below the national average. Baton Rouge is Louisiana's capital with a strong chemical manufacturing, energy, and state government base. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $182,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$131,000
to $162,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$172,000
to $212,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$222,000
to $263,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$253,000
to $313,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $128,000 to the total package.
Base
$202,000
Equity
$69,000
Bonus
$43,000
Signing
$16,000
Estimated total: $330,000
How Baton Rouge compares
Baton Rouge, LA
$202,000
Cost of living: 12% below average
National Average
$225,000
Baton Rouge is $23,000 below
Director of Machine Learning salary by city
Salary by role in Baton Rouge
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Director of Machine Learning roles in Baton Rouge, here is what you are walking into. Baton Rouge is Louisiana's capital with a strong chemical manufacturing, energy, and state government base. LSU drives education and research employment. The cost of living is very affordable, making even moderate salaries deliver strong purchasing power. Model complexity, data pipeline scale, and infrastructure cost optimization are the primary drivers. Director of Machine Learnings 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.
Director of Machine Learnings typically earn $176,000 to $293,000, with top performers at large organizations reaching $381,000. 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 Baton Rouge, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 12% 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: louisiana's top income tax rate is 4.25%. Baton Rouge has no city income tax. The moderate rate and very affordable living costs create good take home pay. When someone quotes you $202,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference the petrochemical corridor salary benchmarks. Chemical and energy engineers in Baton Rouge earn competitive rates driven by specialized industry demand. The range for Director of Machine Learnings in Baton Rouge runs from $158,000 to $263,000. 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 Head of Data Science in Baton Rouge earns $201,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Baton Rouge is Principal Quantitative Researcher at $308,000
Common questions.
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