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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA

Employers have filed 414 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $165,000. That's 4% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $158,080 across all U.S. locations, and 16% higher than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,110. Machine Learning Engineer ranks #34 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.

Headline numbers for Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #639 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Machine Learning Engineer hiring.

$165,000
Median Salary
414
Certified Filings
$134,098
10th Percentile
$211,000
90th Percentile

Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Seattle, WA

The pay distribution for this role spans $76,902 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $148,013 and $190,486, the interquartile range where most experienced Machine Learning Engineers land. The median of $165,000 sits 4% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median.

10th percentile
$134,098
25th percentile
$148,013
Median
$165,000
75th percentile
$190,486
90th percentile
$211,000
Middle 50% of Machine Learning Engineer H-1B salaries in Seattle, WA: $148,013 to $190,486

Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Engineers in Seattle, WA

APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Machine Learning Engineer in Seattle, WA, with 170 certified filings (41% of local Machine Learning Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $171,600. The pay spread across top employers is 16%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison
APPLE
$171,600
SNAP
$148,013
EXPEDIA
$150,886
ZILLOW
$155,788
ADOBE
$170,000

Pay spread among top employers: 16% ($148,013 at SNAP to $171,600 at APPLE)

Employer Filings Median Salary
APPLE 170 $171,600
SNAP 40 $148,013
EXPEDIA 28 $150,886
ZILLOW 26 $155,788
ADOBE 25 $170,000

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 Seattle, WA, which tells you whether Machine Learning Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Machine Learning Engineer
+4%
4% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $158,080.
vs. Seattle, WA Average
+16%
16% higher than the overall H-1B median in Seattle, WA ($142,110).

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 Seattle, WA. 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
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
Santa Clara, CA 128 $162,118

Other H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Machine Learning Engineer role here (10,229 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $185,037.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 10,229 $159,000
Software Engineer II 8,107 $150,000
Software Engineer I 5,269 $125,000
Product Manager III 2,234 $149,700
Software Engineer III 2,167 $160,000
Senior Software Engineer 2,083 $179,546
Program Manager III 1,521 $147,000
Manager Iii, Software Development 1,383 $185,037
Business Intelligence Engineer II 1,212 $120,000
Program Manager II 1,191 $120,000

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer in Seattle, WA is $165,000, based on 414 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $158,080 across all U.S. locations. It is also 16% higher than the overall H-1B median of $142,110 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $76,902 range from the 10th percentile ($134,098) to the 90th percentile ($211,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $148,013 and $190,486, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 170 certified filings at a median salary of $171,600. The pay spread across top employers is 16%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 414 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 Seattle, WA?

The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Seattle, WA is $165,000, based on 414 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$134,098
25th percentile
$148,013
Median
$165,000
75th percentile
$190,486
90th percentile
$211,000

The salary distribution for Machine Learning Engineer roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $134,098, while the 90th percentile earns $211,000. This $76,902 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 Seattle, WA are 26% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Machine Learning Engineers in Seattle, WA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Seattle, WA are:

APPLE
$171,600
SNAP
$148,013
EXPEDIA
$150,886
ZILLOW
$155,788
ADOBE
$170,000

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Machine Learning Engineer roles specifically in Seattle, WA. APPLE leads with 170 filings at a median salary of $171,600. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $148,013 to $171,600.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in Seattle, WA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in Seattle, WA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 414 H-1B positions for Machine Learning Engineers in Seattle, WA 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.