Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Washington, DC
Machine Learning Engineers in Washington, DC earn a median of $147,000/year, ranging from $113,190 (25th percentile) to $235,200 (90th percentile). After District of Columbia state taxes (6.5%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 152), this is equivalent to $96,711 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Washington, DC
Machine learning roles here cluster around federal contractors and defense firms. Notable employers in this market include Booz Allen Hamilton, Palantir, and various intelligence community shops doing classified work on the Arlington side. If you're not cleared, private tech and fintech shops in Dupont Circle and downtown also hire ML engineers steadily. Rent in walkable neighborhoods like Columbia Heights or Bloomingdale runs around $2,200 to $2,400 monthly for a one-bedroom, which stings on lower salaries. The Metro system is genuinely useful for getting around without a car, especially along the Red Line corridor, though it's aging. The real DC quirk: security clearances matter more here than almost anywhere else. Even mid-level roles often require or prefer Top Secret eligibility, which changes your hiring timeline and salary band significantly. Factor in DC's 6.5% income tax too, which is steeper than neighboring Virginia or Maryland.
1Salary Distribution in Washington, DC
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 Washington, DC Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC (current) | $147,000 | 152 | $96,711 |
| 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 Washington, DC?
The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Washington, DC is $147,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $113,190 and the 90th percentile is $235,200.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a Machine Learning Engineer?
Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 152 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $147,000 Machine Learning Engineer salary in Washington, DC is equivalent to $96,711 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Washington, DC?
Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 152, meaning it is 52% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in District of Columbia is approximately 6.5%.
What is the Machine Learning Engineer salary range in Washington, DC?
In Washington, DC, Machine Learning Engineers earn between $113,190 (25th percentile) and $235,200 (90th percentile), with a median of $147,000 per year.
How many Machine Learning Engineer jobs are there in Washington, DC?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 36,000 Machine Learning Engineer positions in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
What do Machine Learning Engineers earn in Washington, DC?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Machine Learning Engineers in Washington, DC earn a median annual wage of $147,000. The middle 50% earn between $113,190 and $188,160. The top 10% earn more than $235,200. There are approximately 36,000 Machine Learning Engineers employed in the Washington, DC metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3.4%.
Is Washington, DC a good place for a Machine Learning Engineer?
Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 152 (US average = 100), making it 52% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Machine Learning Engineer in Washington, DC earning $147,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $96,711 relative to the US median. District of Columbia has a state income tax rate of approximately 6.5%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Washington, DC?
Washington, DC's cost of living index is 152, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $147,000 in Washington, DChas the same purchasing power as $96,711 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 Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC?
The headline median of $147,000 is only part of the picture. Washington, DC's cost of living index is 152 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 66¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $147,000 salary effectively purchases $96,711 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Washington, DC, the median household typically spends 35–45% of gross income on housing — significantly above the 28% "affordable" threshold most lenders use. For a $147,000 salary, that translates to roughly $58,800/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. District of Columbia levies a state income tax of approximately 6.5%, which reduces take-home by roughly $9,555 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 $126,999. 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 3.4% year-over-year growth rate for Machine Learning Engineers in Washington, DC is a leading indicator of market health. Healthy growth at a steady pace — enough to support mobility but not so fast that compensation is racing ahead of credentials. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Machine Learning Engineers or the District of Columbia 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.