Technology Cambridge, MA Pop. 118,403

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts

The median machine learning engineer salary in Cambridge, MA is $226,100 per year, which is 70.0% above the national median and 17.2% above the Massachusetts state average.

City Median
$226,100
vs State Avg
+$33,250
vs National
+$93,100
Cost of Living
160%

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

Cambridge offers a median machine learning engineer salary of $226,100, which is $33,250 above the Massachusetts state average of $192,850. Compared to the national median of $133,000, Cambridge pays above average for this role.

However, Cambridge's cost of living index is 160%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $226,100 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $141,313. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Cambridge should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for machine learning engineers in Cambridge spans from $139,400 at the 10th percentile to $348,500 at the 90th percentile — a $209,100 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $149,600, while senior machine learning engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $326,400. With a population of 118,403, Cambridge is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Cambridge by Experience

In Cambridge, an entry-level machine learning engineer earns around $149,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $326,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$149,600
+$61,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$229,500
+$94,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$326,400
+$134,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cambridge, MA

Percentile Cambridge
10th Percentile $139,400
25th Percentile $183,600
Median (50th) $226,100
75th Percentile $285,600
90th Percentile $348,500

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Other Massachusetts Cities

Boston, MA
$215,460
Pop. 675,647
Worcester, MA
$159,600
Pop. 206,518
Lowell, MA
$152,950
Pop. 115,554
Springfield, MA
$143,640
Pop. 155,929

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer in Cambridge

Education

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

Find Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Cambridge

Browse open machine learning engineer positions in Cambridge, MA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Cambridge

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make in Cambridge, MA? ▼
The median machine learning engineer salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $226,100 per year, which is 70.0% above the national median of $133,000. Salaries range from $139,400 (10th percentile) to $348,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make per hour in Cambridge? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $226,100, a machine learning engineer in Cambridge earns approximately $109 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cambridge compare to the Massachusetts state average for machine learning engineer pay? ▼
Cambridge's median machine learning engineer salary of $226,100 is 17.2% above the Massachusetts state average of $192,850. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cambridge, MA? ▼
Cambridge has a cost of living index of 160% compared to the national average. This means a machine learning engineer salary of $226,100 in Cambridge 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 Cambridge? ▼
Most machine learning engineer positions in Cambridge 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.