Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Monica, CA
Employers have filed 50 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Santa Monica, CA, with a median salary of $134,098. That's 15% lower than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $158,080 across all U.S. locations, and 3% higher than the Santa Monica, CA all-roles H-1B median of $130,000. Machine Learning Engineer ranks #9 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Monica, CA.
Headline numbers for Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Monica, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #7,122 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Machine Learning Engineer hiring.
Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Santa Monica, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $105,248 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $118,373 and $158,080, the interquartile range where most experienced Machine Learning Engineers land. The median of $134,098 sits 15% lower than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $75,462
- 25th percentile
- $118,373
- Median
- $134,098
- 75th percentile
- $158,080
- 90th percentile
- $180,710
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Engineers in Santa Monica, CA
SNAP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Machine Learning Engineer in Santa Monica, CA, with 42 certified filings (84% of local Machine Learning Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $126,942. Among the top sponsors, MOTIONAL AD pays the highest median at $187,000. The pay spread across top employers is 200%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 200% ($62,311 at GLIPPED to $187,000 at MOTIONAL AD)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP | 42 | $126,942 |
| ROUTE APP | 2 | $140,000 |
| GLIPPED | 1 | $62,311 |
| PLAYQ | 1 | $142,667 |
| MOTIONAL AD | 1 | $187,000 |
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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, 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 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 232 | $172,022 |
| Bellevue, WA | 205 | $185,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 144 | $126,880 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Monica, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Monica, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Machine Learning Engineer role here (456 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $160,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 456 | $126,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 154 | $147,500 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 147 | $160,000 |
| Software Developer | 131 | $139,818 |
| Software Engineer I | 79 | $125,000 |
| Data Scientist | 71 | $112,091 |
| Product Manager | 58 | $134,160 |
| Research Scientist | 54 | $124,240 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer in Santa Monica, CA is $134,098, based on 50 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 15% lower than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $158,080 across all U.S. locations. It is also 3% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,000 in Santa Monica, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $105,248 range from the 10th percentile ($75,462) to the 90th percentile ($180,710). The middle 50% of workers earn between $118,373 and $158,080, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SNAP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Monica, CA, with 42 certified filings at a median salary of $126,942. Among the top employers, MOTIONAL AD pays the highest median at $187,000. The pay spread across top employers is 200%, 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 Santa Monica, CA, answered directly from 50 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 Santa Monica, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Santa Monica, CA is $134,098, based on 50 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $75,462
- 25th percentile
- $118,373
- Median
- $134,098
- 75th percentile
- $158,080
- 90th percentile
- $180,710
The salary distribution for Machine Learning Engineer roles in Santa Monica, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $75,462, while the 90th percentile earns $180,710. This $105,248 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 Santa Monica, CA are 3% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Machine Learning Engineers in Santa Monica, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Santa Monica, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Machine Learning Engineer roles specifically in Santa Monica, CA. SNAP leads with 42 filings at a median salary of $126,942. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $62,311 to $187,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in Santa Monica, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in Santa Monica, 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, 50 H-1B positions for Machine Learning Engineers in Santa Monica, 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.