Machine Learning Consultant Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$150,000
national median salary
$117,000 to $195,000. Last updated June 2026.
Highest Paying
$209,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$156,000
Portland, OR
Lowest Paying
$114,000
Jackson, MS
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated June 2026. Baseline derived from BLS SOC 15-2051. Full methodology.
The average Machine Learning Consultant salary in the United States is $150,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $117,000 at the 25th percentile to $195,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $209,000, while Portland offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Machine Learning Consultant compensation is driven by billable hours, client tier (Fortune 500 vs mid-market), and practice area specialization.
Machine Learning Consultant salary by city.
Skills that increase Machine Learning Consultant pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Machine Learning Consultants based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $21,000 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$21,000 per year
≈ +$19,500 per year
≈ +$18,000 per year
≈ +$16,500 per year
≈ +$15,000 per year
≈ +$15,000 per year
≈ +$15,000 per year
≈ +$13,500 per year
What you should know.
Machine Learning Consultant compensation is driven by billable hours, client tier (Fortune 500 vs mid-market), and practice area specialization. Equity is a major component at roughly 25% of base — candidates should weight stock grants as heavily as salary when comparing offers. Within tech-sector Machine Learning Consultants specifically, employer tier (FAANG and frontier-AI labs vs mid-stage startups vs traditional enterprise) drives 67%+ variance across the compensation band.
Machine Learning Consultants progress from entry to senior over 5 to 8 years, with partner and principal levels requiring a book of business and demonstrated client-generation track record.
Total compensation for Machine Learning Consultants runs roughly $216K at median when factoring base + equity (25% of base annually) + bonus (15% of base). Equity is the single largest non-base component — candidates should model vesting schedules (typically 4-year with 1-year cliff) and compare grant values across offers carefully. At tech companies specifically, equity and sign-on are often the largest delta between offers — two roles with matching base can differ by $100K+ at total when equity is included.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Machine Learning Consultants typically earn $140,000 (7% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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