Senior Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 161 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Machine Learning Engineer positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $199,534. That's 11% higher than the national Senior Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $180,000 across all U.S. locations, and 21% higher than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $165,000. Senior Machine Learning Engineer ranks #18 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,130 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Machine Learning Engineer hiring.
Senior Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $70,574 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $180,590 and $225,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Machine Learning Engineers land. The median of $199,534 sits 11% higher than the national Senior Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $163,488
- 25th percentile
- $180,590
- Median
- $199,534
- 75th percentile
- $225,000
- 90th percentile
- $234,062
Top Employers Hiring Senior Machine Learning Engineers in Palo Alto, CA
PINTEREST is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Machine Learning Engineer in Palo Alto, CA, with 49 certified filings (30% of local Senior Machine Learning Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $199,534. Among the top sponsors, WOVEN BY TOYOTA, U.S. pays the highest median at $235,000. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 28% ($183,310 at ACTIVEHOURS to $235,000 at WOVEN BY TOYOTA, U.S.)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | $199,534 | |
| TESLA | 38 | $212,500 |
| RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE | 15 | $200,000 |
| WOVEN BY TOYOTA, U.S. | 6 | $235,000 |
| ACTIVEHOURS | 4 | $183,310 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior 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 Senior Machine Learning Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Machine Learning Engineer is an active H-1B role. San Francisco, CA has the most filings (344) outside Palo Alto, CA. The highest median among these is Mountain View, CA at $211,536. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 344 | $193,000 |
| New York, NY | 227 | $190,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 162 | $197,273 |
| San Diego, CA | 157 | $133,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 131 | $185,000 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 97 | $185,766 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 85 | $208,900 |
| Austin, TX | 72 | $145,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 71 | $211,536 |
| Bellevue, WA | 63 | $210,000 |
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-Senior Machine Learning Engineer role here (2,407 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 | 2,407 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,318 | $184,600 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 1,006 | $142,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 695 | $172,931 |
| Research Scientist | 463 | $145,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 423 | $210,000 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 288 | $145,000 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 284 | $174,304 |
| Staff Engineer | 282 | $207,500 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Machine Learning Engineer in Palo Alto, CA is $199,534, based on 161 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 11% higher than the national Senior Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $180,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 21% higher than the overall H-1B median of $165,000 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $70,574 range from the 10th percentile ($163,488) to the 90th percentile ($234,062). The middle 50% of workers earn between $180,590 and $225,000, 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 49 certified filings at a median salary of $199,534. Among the top employers, WOVEN BY TOYOTA, U.S. pays the highest median at $235,000. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 161 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 Senior Machine Learning Engineer salary in Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Machine Learning Engineer positions in Palo Alto, CA is $199,534, based on 161 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $163,488
- 25th percentile
- $180,590
- Median
- $199,534
- 75th percentile
- $225,000
- 90th percentile
- $234,062
The salary distribution for Senior Machine Learning Engineer roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $163,488, while the 90th percentile earns $234,062. This $70,574 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Senior Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Palo Alto, CA are 58% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Machine Learning Engineers in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Machine Learning Engineer positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Machine Learning Engineer roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. PINTEREST leads with 49 filings at a median salary of $199,534. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $183,310 to $235,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Machine Learning Engineer in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior 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, 161 H-1B positions for Senior 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.