Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Machine Learning Engineers in Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $118,000/year, ranging from $90,860 (25th percentile) to $188,800 (90th percentile). After Arizona state taxes (2.5%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 103), this is equivalent to $114,563 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Phoenix, AZ
Among the larger employers here are Intel, Amazon Web Services, and American Express, all of which run substantial engineering teams across the Phoenix metro. A median salary around $118,000 gets you solidly into neighborhoods like Tempe or Scottsdale, where a two-bedroom rental runs around $1,400 to $1,600 per month. The sprawl is real and car-dependent; most commutes follow the I-10 or Loop 101 corridors, though some pockets near downtown Phoenix and Tempe have started developing walkable tech clusters. Arizona's flat state income tax of roughly 2.5% keeps more money in your pocket than many coastal hubs, a genuine advantage when comparing offers. The heat is relentless May through September, which shapes how you live and work here - remote flexibility or gym access matters more than it does in temperate metros.
1Salary Distribution in Phoenix, AZ
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Phoenix, AZ Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ (current) | $118,000 | 103 | $114,563 |
| San Francisco, CA | $170,000 | 186 | $91,398 |
| New York, NY | $163,000 | 187 | $87,166 |
| Seattle, WA | $165,000 | 162 | $101,852 |
| Boston, MA | $150,000 | 162 | $92,593 |
| Austin, TX | $136,000 | 124 | $109,677 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Machine Learning Engineer salary in Phoenix, AZ?
The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Phoenix, AZ is $118,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $90,860 and the 90th percentile is $188,800.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a Machine Learning Engineer?
Phoenix, AZ has a cost of living index of 103 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $118,000 Machine Learning Engineer salary in Phoenix, AZ is equivalent to $114,563 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix, AZ has a cost of living index of 103, meaning it is 3% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Arizona is approximately 2.5%.
What is the Machine Learning Engineer salary range in Phoenix, AZ?
In Phoenix, AZ, Machine Learning Engineers earn between $90,860 (25th percentile) and $188,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $118,000 per year.
How many Machine Learning Engineer jobs are there in Phoenix, AZ?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 20,000 Machine Learning Engineer positions in the Phoenix, AZ metropolitan area.
What do Machine Learning Engineers earn in Phoenix, AZ?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Machine Learning Engineers in Phoenix, AZ earn a median annual wage of $118,000. The middle 50% earn between $90,860 and $151,040. The top 10% earn more than $188,800. There are approximately 20,000 Machine Learning Engineers employed in the Phoenix, AZ metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 5.3%.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place for a Machine Learning Engineer?
Phoenix, AZ has a cost of living index of 103 (US average = 100), making it 3% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Machine Learning Engineer in Phoenix, AZ earning $118,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $114,563 relative to the US median. Arizona has a state income tax rate of approximately 2.5%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix, AZ's cost of living index is 103, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $118,000 in Phoenix, AZhas the same purchasing power as $114,563 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Phoenix, AZ with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Machine Learning Engineer in Phoenix, AZ?
The headline median of $118,000 is only part of the picture. Phoenix, AZ's cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 97¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $118,000 salary effectively purchases $114,563 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Phoenix, AZ, housing costs fall closer to the national average of 25–30% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, transportation, and discretionary spending. For a $118,000 salary, that translates to roughly $33,040/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Arizona levies a state income tax of approximately 2.5%, which reduces take-home by roughly $2,950 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $106,306. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($170,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($163,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($165,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 5.3% year-over-year growth rate for Machine Learning Engineers in Phoenix, AZ is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Machine Learning Engineers or the Arizona state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.