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San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA Market Report
Fall 2026 UpdateUpdated October 3, 2026

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA (Fall 2026)

Critical scarcity for foundational LLM development. In San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA, the median annual base compensation is $207,474, representing a +28% adjustment compared to the national average.

Median Base
$207,474
Market Range (P10–P90)
$155K – $318K
3-Year Trajectory
+12.4%

Machine Learning Engineer Salary Distribution in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA

10th Percentile
$155,000
Entry / Junior
25th Percentile
$178,613
Mid-Level
50th (Median)
$207,474
Market Midpoint
90th Percentile
$318,000
Senior / Staff

Regional Market Insights & Cost of Living

The cost of living in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA is rated as Very High. When evaluating offers in this market, total purchasing power reflects local housing and tax obligations. Compared to national baseline levels ($$162,080), candidates in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CAcommand a 28% premium based on local demand drivers.

CoL Tier: Very HighNational Median: $162,080Data Sources: Motion; Built In
Avg Total Comp
$275,000
Experience Level
Top 10% exceeds $318k base

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Machine Learning Engineer salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA?
In San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA, the median base salary for a Machine Learning Engineer is $207,474 per year. Salaries typically range from $155K for entry-to-mid levels up to $318K for senior practitioners.
How does San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA compensation compare to the national average?
Machine Learning Engineer pay in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA is 28% above the national median ($162,080 national median). Cost of living for this market is classified as Very High.
What is the 3-year salary growth trend for Machine Learning Engineers in this market?
Compensation for Machine Learning Engineers has seen a 12.4% change over the past 3 years. Critical scarcity for foundational LLM development.
What data sources are used for this San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA benchmark?
This benchmark is compiled using Motion; Built In, with geographic adjustments based on Verified Cost of Living Indexes and local market surveys.

High Demand Track

Market demand for Machine Learning Engineer is at an all-time high. Join the Vetta Marketplace to access verified offers from employers hiring at these benchmarks.

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Compare Machine Learning Engineer in Other Markets

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Other Tech Salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA

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