Technology Columbia, MD Pop. 104,681

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Columbia, Maryland

The median machine learning engineer salary in Columbia, MD is $164,920 per year, which is 24.0% above the national median and 6.9% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$164,920
vs State Avg
+$10,640
vs National
+$31,920
Cost of Living
118%

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

Columbia offers a median machine learning engineer salary of $164,920, which is $10,640 above the Maryland state average of $154,280. Compared to the national median of $133,000, Columbia pays above average for this role.

However, Columbia's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $164,920 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $139,763. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Columbia should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for machine learning engineers in Columbia spans from $101,680 at the 10th percentile to $254,200 at the 90th percentile — a $152,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $109,120, while senior machine learning engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $238,080. With a population of 104,681, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level machine learning engineer earns around $109,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $238,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$109,120
+$21,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$167,400
+$32,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$238,080
+$46,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MD

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $101,680
25th Percentile $133,920
Median (50th) $164,920
75th Percentile $208,320
90th Percentile $254,200

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$170,240
Pop. 81,015
Germantown, MD
$160,930
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$151,620
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$147,630
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer in Columbia

Education

Most machine learning engineer positions require a master's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Maryland 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 Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open machine learning engineer positions in Columbia, MD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make in Columbia, MD? ▼
The median machine learning engineer salary in Columbia, Maryland is $164,920 per year, which is 24.0% above the national median of $133,000. Salaries range from $101,680 (10th percentile) to $254,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $164,920, a machine learning engineer in Columbia earns approximately $79 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Maryland state average for machine learning engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median machine learning engineer salary of $164,920 is 6.9% above the Maryland state average of $154,280. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MD? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a machine learning engineer salary of $164,920 in Columbia has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machine learning engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most machine learning engineer positions in Columbia 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.