Hiring a machine learning engineer: the market today
The short answer ·
720 open postings ask for a machine learning engineer as of Nov 11, 2026, from 201 employers. The median advertised pay is $175,000, taking the midpoint of each posted range. 225 of those postings are new in the last 30 days, so expect competition.
Who you're competing with
Open postings · Ayla, Nov 11, 2026
What it pays
Advertised pay (range midpoints), 455 postings with pay
Questions buyers ask
How hard is it to hire a machine learning engineer?
Hard. 201 employers are hiring the role right now, led by Booz Allen Hamilton with 55 open postings.
What should I pay a machine learning engineer?
Advertised pay centers on $175,000. The middle half runs from $146,448 to $207,500.
Where is a machine learning engineer being hired?
As of Nov 11, 2026, the most open postings for the role are in California (121), Virginia (119) and Maryland (77). Together they hold 44% of its 720 open postings.
Who can help me hire a machine learning engineer?
Ayla's recruiters, for government agencies and contractors. Send the role for a free market brief within two business days, then interview the people we find; you pay a placement fee when you hire.