Technology Athens, GA Pop. 127,064

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Athens, Georgia

The median machine learning engineer salary in Athens, GA is $123,690 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$123,690
vs State Avg
$-3,990
vs National
$-9,310
Cost of Living
90%

Machine Learning Engineer Pay in Athens: What to Expect (2026)

Athens offers a median machine learning engineer salary of $123,690, which is $3,990 below the Georgia state average of $127,680. Compared to the national median of $133,000, Athens pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Athens's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for machine learning engineers in Athens spans from $76,260 at the 10th percentile to $190,650 at the 90th percentile — a $114,390 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $81,840, while senior machine learning engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $178,560. With a population of 127,064, Athens is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Athens by Experience

In Athens, an entry-level machine learning engineer earns around $81,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $178,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$81,840
$-6,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$125,550
$-9,450 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$178,560
$-13,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Athens, GA

Percentile Athens
10th Percentile $76,260
25th Percentile $100,440
Median (50th) $123,690
75th Percentile $156,240
90th Percentile $190,650

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$139,650
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$126,350
Pop. 147,780
Augusta, GA
$121,030
Pop. 202,081
Columbus, GA
$118,370
Pop. 206,922

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer in Athens

Education

Most machine learning engineer positions require a master's degree. Athens and the surrounding Georgia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonTensorFlow/PyTorchMLOpsStatisticsDeep LearningData Engineering

Job Outlook

Nationally, machine learning engineer employment is projected to grow 40% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Athens may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Athens

Browse open machine learning engineer positions in Athens, GA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Athens

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make in Athens, GA? ▼
The median machine learning engineer salary in Athens, Georgia is $123,690 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $133,000. Salaries range from $76,260 (10th percentile) to $190,650 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make per hour in Athens? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $123,690, a machine learning engineer in Athens earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Athens compare to the Georgia state average for machine learning engineer pay? ▼
Athens's median machine learning engineer salary of $123,690 is 3.1% below the Georgia state average of $127,680. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Athens, GA? ▼
Athens has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a machine learning engineer salary of $123,690 in Athens has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machine learning engineer in Athens? ▼
Most machine learning engineer positions in Athens require a master's degree. Key skills include Python, TensorFlow/PyTorch, MLOps, Statistics. The job market is projected to grow 40% nationally over the next decade.