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2026 Salary Data — Chicago, IL
Updated April 28, 2026

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Chicago: $170K Median

Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago, IL earn between $116K and $310K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $162,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $170,100 per year — +5% above the US national median of $162,000. Salaries range from $115,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $309,750 (90th percentile). Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago earned approximately $27,435 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$170,100
+520.0% YoY · $14,175/mo
Entry
$136,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$262,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$309,750
Senior/lead
Machine Learning Engineer Salary — Chicago vs Nearby
Chicago
$170K
Atlanta
$170K
+0% vs Chicago
Philadelphia
$168K
+1% vs Chicago
Nashville
$162K
+5% vs Chicago

Free ATS scan · Chicago employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago

ML engineers design, build, and deploy machine learning models at scale, bridging research and production engineering.

Core Responsibilities

  • Model development and training
  • Production ML pipelines
  • Feature engineering
  • Model evaluation
  • MLOps

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Master's or PhD preferred (Bachelor's with strong portfolio acceptable)

In-demand certifications

AWS ML SpecialtyGoogle ML EngineerTensorFlow Developer

Chicago Job Market

Major Midwest financial and manufacturing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
2693K
Cost of Living
107
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Chicago

FinanceManufacturingHealthcareTechLogistics

Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Engineers

Major employers active in Chicago or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Meta
OpenAI
Anthropic
NVIDIA
Apple
Tesla
Microsoft

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Machine Learning Engineer listings.

LLMsPyTorchRAG/fine-tuningDistributed trainingMLOps

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PythonPyTorchTensorFlowscikit-learnMLOpsKubernetesfeature engineeringdistributed trainingLLMs
Career Outlook
+40% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

ML engineering demand exploded 40%+ in 2025-2026 with the GenAI boom. Frontier labs paying $500K+ for senior roles.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary Breakdown — Chicago

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$115,500$170,100$309,750
Monthly$9,625$14,175$25,813
Weekly$2,221$3,271$5,957
Hourly$56$82$149

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($162,000) adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Machine Learning Engineer Take-Home Pay in Chicago

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$118,500.4
Per month$9,875
Biweekly paycheck$4,558
Effective tax rate30.3%

Tax Breakdown on $170,100

Gross salary$170,100
Federal income tax−$30,167
Illinois state tax−$8,419.95
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$13,012.65
Take-home (net)$118,500.4

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Experience — Chicago

Career-stage progression for Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$125,580
2–3 yr$136,500
4–6 yr$199,500
7–10 yr$262,500
11–15 yr$309,750
15+ yr$286,125

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Chicago's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$27,435
2026 median:$170,100
Change:+$142,665

Technology sector growth driven by demand for LLMs and PyTorch.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$158,972
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Chicago

Walk-away anchor: $147,913 (offers below this are below market for Chicago).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $263K–$310K for experienced roles, citing Chicago market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary FAQ — Chicago

What is the average Machine Learning Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The average Machine Learning Engineer salary in Chicago is $170,100 per year as of April 2026 — $14,175/month, $3,271/week, or about $82/hour. Salaries range from $115,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $309,750 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $170,100 a good Machine Learning Engineer salary in Chicago?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Chicago's cost-of-living index is 107 (vs 100 nationally), giving $170,100 a real purchasing power of approximately $158,972 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $170,100 in Chicago?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Chicago specifically (median home price $360,000), a $170,100 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $170,100 enough for a single person in Chicago?
A single adult in Chicago typically needs ~$48,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $170,100 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $170,100 enough for a couple in Chicago?
A couple (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$77,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $170,100 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $170,100 each ($340,200 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $170,100 enough for a family of 4 in Chicago?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$117,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $170,100 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Machine Learning Engineer income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Chicago typically run $16K-$30K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Machine Learning Engineer in Chicago?
On a $170,100 Machine Learning Engineer salary in Chicago, IL, you take home approximately $118,500.4 per year ($9,875/month, $4,558 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $30,167, state $8,419.95, FICA $13,012.65. Effective tax rate: 30.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago earn compared to the US average?
Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($162,000 nationally vs $170,100 in Chicago). However, Chicago's cost-of-living index of 107 means real purchasing power is approximately $158,972 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Machine Learning Engineer earn in Chicago?
Entry-level Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago typically start at around $136,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Machine Learning Engineers earn $262,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $309,750+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Chicago increase in 2026?
Yes — Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Chicago grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $27,435 in 2025 to $170,100 in 2026 (+$142,665). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago?
ML engineering demand exploded 40%+ in 2025-2026 with the GenAI boom. Frontier labs paying $500K+ for senior roles. Chicago's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.8% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Machine Learning Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Machine Learning Engineers are: LLMs, PyTorch, RAG/fine-tuning, Distributed training, MLOps. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Chicago.
Who are the top employers hiring Machine Learning Engineers in Chicago?
Top employers hiring Machine Learning Engineers in or near Chicago include: Google, Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic, NVIDIA, Apple. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Machine Learning Engineer salary in Chicago?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Machine Learning Engineer salary in Chicago?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (LLMs, PyTorch, RAG/fine-tuning) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., AWS ML Specialty or Google ML Engineer). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Machine Learning Engineer in Chicago?
Master's or PhD preferred (Bachelor's with strong portfolio acceptable) is the typical path. However, Chicago's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Machine Learning Engineer salary figures for Chicago are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($162,000) by Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Chicago

Data Scientist →Software Engineer →Product Manager →Web Developer →DevOps Engineer →Cybersecurity Analyst →

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$170KPhiladelphia, PA$168KDallas, TX$170KFort Worth, TX$165KCharlotte, NC$165KSacramento, CA$175KAtlanta, GA$170KRaleigh, NC$170K

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