Texas tech capital — Tesla, Oracle, Apple — booming. Here's how Machine Learning Engineers in Austin get paid in 2026.
How pay scales with career stage in the Austin metro market.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th % | 75th % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (0–1 yr) | $142,600 | $108,400 | $185,500 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $177,300 | $134,700 | $230,500 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $203,800 | $154,900 | $265,000 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $244,500 | $185,800 | $318,000 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $277,100 | $210,600 | $360,400 |
Highest-paying metros for Machine Learning Engineers — useful if you're weighing a relocation.
Top occupations by median pay across the Austin metro economy.
The average Machine Learning Engineer salary in the Austin metro is $203,800 per year as of 2026, with a typical range of $154,900 to $265,000 (25th–75th percentile). Top earners (90th percentile) make $336,300 or more.
Yes — Austin pays +4% relative to the Texas state median for Machine Learning Engineers. Major metros typically concentrate higher-paying employers and command a wage premium over rural and small-city areas in the same state.
Austin vs. national: +13%. That puts Austin among the stronger US markets for Machine Learning Engineers — though cost of living in Austin is also typically elevated.
In Austin, the median Machine Learning Engineer salary of $203,800 typically corresponds to 5–9 years of experience (mid-level). Entry-level Machine Learning Engineers in Austin start around $142,600, while seniors (10+ years) reach $244,500 or more.
Metro medians are useful benchmarks — but your exact number depends on your experience, education, and the specific employer. Run the free calculator for a personalized read.
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