Engineering · Salary Guide · New York
Machine Learning Engineer Salary in New York
New York's software engineering market has two distinct tracks. The Big Tech track (Google, Meta, Bloomberg, Amazon's NYC offices) pays roughly 85–90% of SF levels. The finance track — hedge funds, prop shops, investment banks — pays 20–40% above that for equivalent roles, with top-tier quant positions at firms like Jane Street and Citadel reaching $500k+ for experienced engineers. The trade-off is culture and hours: finance roles tend to run 55–70 hour weeks. Combined state and city tax is among the highest in the US, and rent for a 1BR in Manhattan averages $4,100/month (Brooklyn closer to $3,200).
Median base in New York
$250k
Cost of living index
170
US = 100
Market multiplier
1.28x
vs US national
Salary by experience level in New York
| Experience level | Base salary (US national) |
|---|---|
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | $147k – $218k |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | $205k – $301k |
| Senior (6–9 yrs) | $275k – $435k |
| Staff / Principal (10+ yrs) | $397k – $768k |
Adjusted from national ranges using the New York market multiplier (1.28x).
Tax and take-home considerations
New York State income tax up to 10.9% plus NYC local tax (3.876% top rate). Fintech and finance roles often carry a 20–40% premium over equivalent tech jobs.
Dominant employers in New York
Finance premium for quant/fintech roles. Strong Big Tech satellite offices.
FAQ
What is the average machine learning engineer salary in New York?
The median base salary for a machine learning engineer in New York is approximately $250k in 2026. New York's software engineering market has two distinct tracks.
Does New York have state income tax for machine learning engineers?
New York State income tax up to 10.9% plus NYC local tax (3.876% top rate). Fintech and finance roles often carry a 20–40% premium over equivalent tech jobs.
Which companies hire the most machine learning engineers in New York?
The dominant employers in New York are Google NYC, Meta NYC, Citadel, Jane Street, Two Sigma. Finance premium for quant/fintech roles. Strong Big Tech satellite offices.
What is the average ML engineer salary in the US?
As of 2026, the median base salary for a US ML engineer is about $195,000, with mid-level ranges of $160k–$235k. Total compensation varies widely — applied ML engineers at Big Tech clear $300k–$450k TC, while research engineers at frontier AI labs reach $700k–$1.1M+.
How much do research engineers at OpenAI or Anthropic make?
Research engineers at OpenAI and Anthropic typically earn $350k–$700k total comp at the mid level and $700k–$1.1M+ at the senior level. Compensation is paid in base plus PPUs (OpenAI) or equity (Anthropic). Offers above $1M generally require a published research track record.
Related Machine Learning Engineer Resources
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