Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 77 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Machine Learning Engineer II positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $172,931. That's 12% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B median of $155,000 across all U.S. locations, and 5% higher than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $164,349. Machine Learning Engineer II ranks #40 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,509 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Machine Learning Engineer II hiring.
Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $41,663 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $158,762 and $184,662, the interquartile range where most experienced Machine Learning Engineer IIs land. The median of $172,931 sits 12% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $146,078
- 25th percentile
- $158,762
- Median
- $172,931
- 75th percentile
- $184,662
- 90th percentile
- $187,741
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Engineer IIs in Palo Alto, CA
PINTEREST is the largest H-1B sponsor for Machine Learning Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA, with 67 certified filings (87% of local Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $172,931. Among the top sponsors, X pays the highest median at $225,000. The pay spread across top employers is 40%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 40% ($160,786 at HP to $225,000 at X)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | $172,931 | |
| HP | 3 | $160,786 |
| RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE | 2 | $172,100 |
| X | 2 | $225,000 |
| MATCH GROUP | 1 | $165,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B median across every U.S. location — a measure of how local cost-of-living and market demand shift pay up or down. The second is the all-roles H-1B median in Palo Alto, CA, which tells you whether Machine Learning Engineer II pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Machine Learning Engineer II is an active H-1B role. San Francisco, CA has the most filings (79) outside Palo Alto, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 79 | $170,000 |
| New York, NY | 60 | $169,540 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Palo Alto, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Machine Learning Engineer II role here (2,197 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $210,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,197 | $156,200 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,267 | $184,080 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 963 | $141,378 |
| Software Engineer II | 674 | $172,931 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 408 | $210,000 |
| Research Scientist | 383 | $140,067 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Staff Engineer | 282 | $207,500 |
| Data Scientist | 281 | $145,000 |
| Developer | 253 | $127,092 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA is $172,931, based on 77 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 12% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B median of $155,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 5% higher than the overall H-1B median of $164,349 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $41,663 range from the 10th percentile ($146,078) to the 90th percentile ($187,741). The middle 50% of workers earn between $158,762 and $184,662, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
PINTEREST is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Palo Alto, CA, with 67 certified filings at a median salary of $172,931. Among the top employers, X pays the highest median at $225,000. The pay spread across top employers is 40%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Machine Learning Engineer II H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 77 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Every answer below cites the specific data point it's based on.
What is the average Machine Learning Engineer II salary in Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer II positions in Palo Alto, CA is $172,931, based on 77 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $146,078
- 25th percentile
- $158,762
- Median
- $172,931
- 75th percentile
- $184,662
- 90th percentile
- $187,741
The salary distribution for Machine Learning Engineer II roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $146,078, while the 90th percentile earns $187,741. This $41,663 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Machine Learning Engineer II salaries in Palo Alto, CA are 32% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Machine Learning Engineer IIs in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineer II positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Machine Learning Engineer II roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. PINTEREST leads with 67 filings at a median salary of $172,931. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $160,786 to $225,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:
- Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
- The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
- Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
- If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work
Based on our data, 77 H-1B positions for Machine Learning Engineer IIs in Palo Alto, CA have been certified, indicating strong demand for this role. The top sponsors listed above have a track record of successful H-1B sponsorship for this position.