SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 15-2041 · Virginia · Updated 2026

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Richmond, VA

Machine Learning Engineers in Richmond, VA earn a median of $112,000/year, ranging from $86,240 (25th percentile) to $179,200 (90th percentile). After Virginia state taxes (5.75%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 101), this is equivalent to $110,891 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$112,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$86,240
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$143,360
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$179,200
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Richmond, VA

P25
P75
P25
$86,240
Median
$112,000
P75
$143,360
P90
$179,200

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$112,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$97,537
After 5.75% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$96,571
vs US average (COL index: 101)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Richmond, VA Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Richmond, VA (current)$112,000101$110,891
San Francisco, CA$170,000186$91,398
New York, NY$163,000187$87,166
Seattle, WA$165,000162$101,852
Boston, MA$150,000162$92,593
Austin, TX$136,000124$109,677

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Machine Learning Engineer salary in Richmond, VA?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Richmond, VA is $112,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $86,240 and the 90th percentile is $179,200.

Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a Machine Learning Engineer?

Richmond, VA has a cost of living index of 101 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $112,000 Machine Learning Engineer salary in Richmond, VA is equivalent to $110,891 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Richmond, VA?

Richmond, VA has a cost of living index of 101, meaning it is 1% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Virginia is approximately 5.75%.

What is the Machine Learning Engineer salary range in Richmond, VA?

In Richmond, VA, Machine Learning Engineers earn between $86,240 (25th percentile) and $179,200 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,000 per year.

How many Machine Learning Engineer jobs are there in Richmond, VA?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 11,200 Machine Learning Engineer positions in the Richmond, VA metropolitan area.

What do Machine Learning Engineers earn in Richmond, VA?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Machine Learning Engineers in Richmond, VA earn a median annual wage of $112,000. The middle 50% earn between $86,240 and $143,360. The top 10% earn more than $179,200. There are approximately 11,200 Machine Learning Engineers employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 4.3%.

Is Richmond, VA a good place for a Machine Learning Engineer?

Richmond, VA has a cost of living index of 101 (US average = 100), making it 1% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Machine Learning Engineer in Richmond, VA earning $112,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $110,891 relative to the US median. Virginia has a state income tax rate of approximately 5.75%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Richmond, VA?

Richmond, VA's cost of living index is 101, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $112,000 in Richmond, VAhas the same purchasing power as $110,891 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 Richmond, VA with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

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.