Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Seattle, WA
Machine Learning Engineers in Seattle, WA earn a median of $165,000/year, ranging from $127,050 (25th percentile) to $264,000 (90th percentile). After Washington state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 162), this is equivalent to $101,852 in purchasing power vs the US average.
1Salary Distribution in Seattle, WA
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 Seattle, WA Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (current) | $165,000 | 162 | $101,852 |
| San Francisco, CA | $170,000 | 186 | $91,398 |
| New York, NY | $163,000 | 187 | $87,166 |
| Boston, MA | $150,000 | 162 | $92,593 |
| Austin, TX | $136,000 | 124 | $109,677 |
| Denver, CO | $131,000 | 128 | $102,344 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Machine Learning Engineer salary in Seattle, WA?
The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $165,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $127,050 and the 90th percentile is $264,000.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a Machine Learning Engineer?
Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $165,000 Machine Learning Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is equivalent to $101,852 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162, meaning it is 62% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Washington is approximately 0%.
What is the Machine Learning Engineer salary range in Seattle, WA?
In Seattle, WA, Machine Learning Engineers earn between $127,050 (25th percentile) and $264,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $165,000 per year.
How many Machine Learning Engineer jobs are there in Seattle, WA?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 46,400 Machine Learning Engineer positions in the Seattle, WA metropolitan area.
What do Machine Learning Engineers earn in Seattle, WA?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Machine Learning Engineers in Seattle, WA earn a median annual wage of $165,000. The middle 50% earn between $127,050 and $211,200. The top 10% earn more than $264,000. There are approximately 46,400 Machine Learning Engineers employed in the Seattle, WA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 5.1%.
Is Seattle, WA a good place for a Machine Learning Engineer?
Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100), making it 62% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Machine Learning Engineer in Seattle, WA earning $165,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $101,852 relative to the US median. Washington has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA's cost of living index is 162, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $165,000 in Seattle, WAhas the same purchasing power as $101,852 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 Seattle, WA 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.