The Best US Cities for ML Engineers in 2026 — Salaries and Opportunities

The Best US Cities for ML Engineers in 2026 — Salaries and Opportunities

If you are a machine learning engineer considering your next move in 2026, location still matters — even in an increasingly remote-friendly market. Different US cities offer dramatically different salary levels, company ecosystems and career opportunities. Here is a breakdown of the best US cities for ML engineers right now.

San Francisco / San Jose, California Silicon Valley remains the global capital of AI. Companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Scale AI and hundreds of well-funded startups create extraordinary demand for ML engineers. Machine learning engineers in San Jose earn a median base salary of approximately $152,600, with total compensation packages reaching $198,500 when including bonuses and equity. The cost of living is high but so is the career acceleration.

Boston, Massachusetts Boston is one of the most underrated AI markets in the US. MIT and Harvard fuel a world-class research environment and the city has strong demand for ML engineers with research backgrounds, particularly in biotech AI and healthcare ML. ML engineers in Boston earn median salaries of approximately $165,950 — among the highest in the country — with total compensation packages reaching $200,000–$247,000.

Seattle, Washington Amazon AWS AI, Microsoft AI and a thriving startup scene make Seattle one of the best markets for AI engineers. Crucially, Washington state has no state income tax, which increases effective compensation by 8–10% compared to equivalent salaries in California. A strong quality of life with access to outdoor recreation makes it a popular choice.

New York City, New York New York's AI hiring is driven by fintech, healthcare, media and enterprise software. The city's diverse economy provides ML professionals with unique sector exposure across industries that simply do not exist at scale elsewhere in the US. Strong salaries and a world-class professional network make it a compelling market.

Austin, Texas Austin is the fastest growing tech hub in the US. No state income tax, lower cost of living than coastal cities and a booming startup ecosystem attract both companies and talent. ML engineers in Austin earn median salaries around $132,000 — excellent value when adjusted for cost of living.

If you are an ML engineer looking for your next opportunity, register your CV with AI/ML Engineer Talent Group today. We specialise in AI and ML placements across all of these markets.