Machine Learning Engineer.
Arlington.
$187,000
median salary, 21% above the national average
$145,000 to $242,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Arlington is 22% more expensive than the national average. For Machine Learning Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $187,000, with the full range spanning $145,000 to $242,000. Production ML experience, deep learning framework fluency, and ability to optimize models for scale are the strongest differentiators. 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 $168,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$122,000
to $150,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$159,000
to $196,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$206,000
to $243,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$234,000
to $290,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $83,000 to the total package.
Base
$187,000
Equity
$50,000
Bonus
$22,000
Signing
$11,000
Estimated total: $270,000
Machine Learning Engineer salary by company
Total compensation estimates include base, equity, bonus, and signing. Ranges reflect mid to senior level. Derived from public H-1B LCA filings, SEC proxy statements, and aggregated self-reported data.
How Arlington compares
Arlington, VA
$187,000
Cost of living: 22% above average
National Average
$155,000
Arlington is $32,000 above
Machine Learning Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Arlington
What you should know
Here is what the Machine Learning Engineer market actually looks like in Arlington. Arlington is the heart of the DC defense and intelligence corridor, home to the Pentagon, DARPA, and hundreds of government contractors. The concentration of cleared tech jobs makes it one of the highest-paying metros for cybersecurity and cloud engineering. Amazon's HQ2 has brought a wave of commercial tech hiring. Production ML experience, deep learning framework fluency, and ability to optimize models for scale are the strongest differentiators. Engineers who bridge research and production by deploying models that serve millions of predictions per day command significant premiums. Specialization in recommendation systems, search ranking, or fraud detection adds further value.
Entry level ML engineers start at $110,000 to $140,000, reaching mid level at $145,000 to $190,000 in two to three years. Senior ML engineers earn $190,000 to $260,000. Staff ML engineers at top companies exceed $350,000 in total compensation, with research oriented roles paying even more. In Arlington, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 22% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at AI focused companies adds $30,000 to $150,000+ annually. Bonuses of 10 to 20% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $75,000 are common at well funded firms. Benefits frequently include GPU compute budgets, conference sponsorship, and research publication support. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Arlington has no additional city income tax. Proximity to DC means many residents compare against DC and Maryland tax rates. When someone quotes you $187,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: A security clearance is your strongest asset. Cleared professionals in Arlington earn 20 to 30% premiums over non-cleared equivalents. The range for Machine Learning Engineers in Arlington runs from $145,000 to $242,000. 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 AI Enablement & Literacy Lead in Arlington earns $185,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Arlington is Distinguished Engineer at $386,000
Common questions.
Machine Learning Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Arlington
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