Technology Arlington, VA Pop. 238,643

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Arlington, Virginia

The median machine learning engineer salary in Arlington, VA is $186,200 per year, which is 40.0% above the national median and 25.0% above the Virginia state average.

City Median
$186,200
vs State Avg
+$37,240
vs National
+$53,200
Cost of Living
132%

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

Arlington offers a median machine learning engineer salary of $186,200, which is $37,240 above the Virginia state average of $148,960. Compared to the national median of $133,000, Arlington pays above average for this role.

However, Arlington's cost of living index is 132%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $186,200 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $141,061. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Arlington should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for machine learning engineers in Arlington spans from $114,800 at the 10th percentile to $287,000 at the 90th percentile — a $172,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $123,200, while senior machine learning engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $268,800. With a population of 238,643, Arlington is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Arlington by Experience

In Arlington, an entry-level machine learning engineer earns around $123,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $268,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$123,200
+$35,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$189,000
+$54,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$268,800
+$76,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Arlington, VA

Percentile Arlington
10th Percentile $114,800
25th Percentile $151,200
Median (50th) $186,200
75th Percentile $235,200
90th Percentile $287,000

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Virginia Beach, VA
$146,300
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$143,640
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$140,980
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$138,320
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer in Arlington

Education

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

Find Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Arlington

Browse open machine learning engineer positions in Arlington, VA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Arlington

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make in Arlington, VA? ▼
The median machine learning engineer salary in Arlington, Virginia is $186,200 per year, which is 40.0% above the national median of $133,000. Salaries range from $114,800 (10th percentile) to $287,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make per hour in Arlington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $186,200, a machine learning engineer in Arlington earns approximately $90 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Arlington compare to the Virginia state average for machine learning engineer pay? ▼
Arlington's median machine learning engineer salary of $186,200 is 25.0% above the Virginia state average of $148,960. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Arlington, VA? ▼
Arlington has a cost of living index of 132% compared to the national average. This means a machine learning engineer salary of $186,200 in Arlington 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 Arlington? ▼
Most machine learning engineer positions in Arlington 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.