Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $119,700 (2026)

Machine Learning Engineer Pay in Winston-Salem: What to Expect (2026)

Winston-Salem offers a median machine learning engineer salary of $119,700, which is $7,980 below the North Carolina state average of $127,680. Compared to the national median of $133,000, Winston-Salem pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Winston-Salem's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $119,700 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $139,186 in an average-cost city. This makes Winston-Salem an attractive option for machine learning engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machine learning engineers in Winston-Salem spans from $73,800 at the 10th percentile to $184,500 at the 90th percentile — a $110,700 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $79,200, while senior machine learning engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $172,800. With a population of 249,545, Winston-Salem is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem by Experience

In Winston-Salem, an entry-level machine learning engineer earns around $79,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $172,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$79,200

$-8,800 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$121,500

$-13,500 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$172,800

$-19,200 vs national

Percentile	Winston-Salem	NC State	National
10th Percentile	$73,800	$78,720	$82,000
25th Percentile	$97,200	$103,680	$108,000
Median (50th)	$119,700	$127,680	$133,000
75th Percentile	$151,200	$161,280	$168,000
90th Percentile	$184,500	$196,800	$205,000

Percentile

Winston-Salem

10th Percentile

$73,800

25th Percentile

$97,200

Median (50th)

$119,700

75th Percentile

$151,200

90th Percentile

$184,500

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer in Winston-Salem

Education

Most machine learning engineer positions require a master's degree. Winston-Salem and the surrounding North Carolina 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 Winston-Salem may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

The median machine learning engineer salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $119,700 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $133,000. Salaries range from $73,800 (10th percentile) to $184,500 (90th percentile).

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make per hour in Winston-Salem? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $119,700, a machine learning engineer in Winston-Salem earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average for machine learning engineer pay? ▼

Winston-Salem's median machine learning engineer salary of $119,700 is 6.3% below the North Carolina state average of $127,680. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a machine learning engineer salary of $119,700 in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem? ▼

Most machine learning engineer positions in Winston-Salem 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.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina