Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 412 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Machine Learning Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $165,000. That's 5% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $157,477 across all U.S. locations, and 7% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Machine Learning Engineer ranks #25 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #621 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Machine Learning Engineer hiring.
Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $105,300 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $144,726 and $198,500, the interquartile range where most experienced Machine Learning Engineers land. The median of $165,000 sits 5% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,000
- 25th percentile
- $144,726
- Median
- $165,000
- 75th percentile
- $198,500
- 90th percentile
- $225,300
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Engineers in San Francisco, CA
SNAP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 19 certified filings (5% of local Machine Learning Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $180,960. Among the top sponsors, DROPBOX pays the highest median at $181,272. The pay spread across top employers is 15%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 15% ($157,477 at PINTEREST to $181,272 at DROPBOX)
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 San Francisco, 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 (749) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Cupertino, CA at $190,489. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 749 | $184,662 |
| Cupertino, CA | 530 | $190,489 |
| New York, NY | 427 | $151,819 |
| Seattle, WA | 388 | $165,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 268 | $187,712 |
| Mountain View, CA | 251 | $184,080 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 212 | $170,522 |
| Bellevue, WA | 186 | $185,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 140 | $126,880 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 124 | $161,847 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Machine Learning Engineer role here (12,596 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 12,596 | $165,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,749 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,498 | $150,000 |
| Product Manager | 1,449 | $163,973 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,070 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,047 | $164,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 991 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 980 | $106,000 |
| Consultant | 946 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 811 | $135,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $165,000, based on 412 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 5% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $157,477 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% higher than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $105,300 range from the 10th percentile ($120,000) to the 90th percentile ($225,300). The middle 50% of workers earn between $144,726 and $198,500, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SNAP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 19 certified filings at a median salary of $180,960. Among the top employers, DROPBOX pays the highest median at $181,272. The pay spread across top employers is 15%, 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 San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 412 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 San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $165,000, based on 412 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,000
- 25th percentile
- $144,726
- Median
- $165,000
- 75th percentile
- $198,500
- 90th percentile
- $225,300
The salary distribution for Machine Learning Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,000, while the 90th percentile earns $225,300. This $105,300 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Machine Learning Engineer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 26% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Machine Learning Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Machine Learning Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. SNAP leads with 19 filings at a median salary of $180,960. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $157,477 to $181,272.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, 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, 412 H-1B positions for Machine Learning Engineers in San Francisco, 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.