Director of Machine Learning.
Wichita.
$179,000
median salary, 20% below the national average
$140,000 to $233,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Director of Machine Learning offer in Wichita, KS, here is the reality: $140,000 to $233,000, with $179,000 as the midpoint. 20% below the national average. Model complexity, data pipeline scale, and infrastructure cost optimization are the primary drivers. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $161,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$116,000
to $143,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$152,000
to $188,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$197,000
to $233,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$224,000
to $277,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $113,000 to the total package.
Base
$179,000
Equity
$61,000
Bonus
$38,000
Signing
$14,000
Estimated total: $292,000
How Wichita compares
Wichita, KS
$179,000
Cost of living: 18% below average
National Average
$225,000
Wichita is $46,000 below
Director of Machine Learning salary by city
Salary by role in Wichita
What you should know
The Director of Machine Learning landscape in Wichita is not what most salary sites will tell you. Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. The city's engineering talent pool is deep, and the extremely low cost of living means aerospace salaries deliver exceptional 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 Wichita, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 18% 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: kansas has a top income tax rate of 5.7%. Wichita has no city income tax. The moderate state rate combined with very low housing costs creates strong net pay. When someone quotes you $179,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight aerospace engineering expertise. Wichita manufacturers pay competitive national rates for specialized aviation and defense engineering talent. The range for Director of Machine Learnings in Wichita runs from $140,000 to $233,000. 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 Director of Engineering in Wichita earns $180,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Wichita is Technical Fellow at $298,000
Common questions.
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