Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 232 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $172,022. That's 9% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $158,080 across all U.S. locations, and 5% higher than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $164,349. Machine Learning Engineer ranks #13 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,353 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Machine Learning Engineer hiring.
Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $90,506 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $145,725 and $197,619, the interquartile range where most experienced Machine Learning Engineers land. The median of $172,022 sits 9% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $134,571
- 25th percentile
- $145,725
- Median
- $172,022
- 75th percentile
- $197,619
- 90th percentile
- $225,077
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Engineers in Palo Alto, CA
SNAP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Machine Learning Engineer in Palo Alto, CA, with 80 certified filings (34% of local Machine Learning Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $192,941. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 24% ($155,000 at PINTEREST to $192,941 at SNAP)
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Machine Learning Engineer 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 pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Machine Learning Engineer is an active H-1B role. San Jose, CA has the most filings (868) outside Palo Alto, CA. The highest median among these is Cupertino, CA at $191,584. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 868 | $184,662 |
| Cupertino, CA | 539 | $191,584 |
| New York, NY | 460 | $151,819 |
| San Francisco, CA | 442 | $167,710 |
| Seattle, WA | 414 | $165,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 273 | $187,741 |
| Mountain View, CA | 261 | $184,080 |
| Bellevue, WA | 205 | $185,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 144 | $126,880 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 128 | $162,118 |
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 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 in Palo Alto, CA is $172,022, based on 232 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 9% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $158,080 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 $90,506 range from the 10th percentile ($134,571) to the 90th percentile ($225,077). The middle 50% of workers earn between $145,725 and $197,619, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SNAP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Palo Alto, CA, with 80 certified filings at a median salary of $192,941. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 232 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 salary in Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Palo Alto, CA is $172,022, based on 232 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $134,571
- 25th percentile
- $145,725
- Median
- $172,022
- 75th percentile
- $197,619
- 90th percentile
- $225,077
The salary distribution for Machine Learning Engineer roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $134,571, while the 90th percentile earns $225,077. This $90,506 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 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 Engineers in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Machine Learning Engineer roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. SNAP leads with 80 filings at a median salary of $192,941. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $155,000 to $192,941.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer 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, 232 H-1B positions for Machine Learning Engineers 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.