Machine Learning Engineer.
Honolulu.
$204,000
median salary, 32% above the national average
$158,000 to $263,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Honolulu is 30% more expensive than the national average. For Machine Learning Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $204,000, with the full range spanning $158,000 to $263,000. 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 $183,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$133,000
to $163,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$173,000
to $214,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$224,000
to $265,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$255,000
to $316,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $90,000 to the total package.
Base
$204,000
Equity
$55,000
Bonus
$23,000
Signing
$12,000
Estimated total: $294,000
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 Honolulu compares
Honolulu, HI
$204,000
Cost of living: 30% above average
National Average
$155,000
Honolulu is $49,000 above
Machine Learning Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Honolulu
What you should know
The Machine Learning Engineer landscape in Honolulu is not what most salary sites will tell you. Honolulu's economy is driven by military spending, tourism, and healthcare. The extremely high cost of living means employers must pay significant premiums. Federal and defense contractor roles offer the highest salaries, while the growing renewable energy sector is creating new technology positions. 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 Honolulu, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 30% 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: hawaii has the highest top state income tax rate in the nation at 11%. Honolulu has no city income tax, but the state burden combined with high living costs requires careful salary planning. When someone quotes you $204,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate housing allowances alongside salary. Honolulu employers, especially federal contractors, often provide COLA adjustments and housing stipends that significantly increase total compensation. The range for Machine Learning Engineers in Honolulu 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 Data Pipeline Engineer (ML) in Honolulu earns $205,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Honolulu is Chief AI Officer at $395,000
Common questions.
Machine Learning Engineer salary in other cities
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