Junior Machine Learning Engineer Salary in San Francisco (2026)
Junior Machine Learning Engineers in San Francisco earn a median base salary of $44K per year, based on 442 verified data points. This guide covers salary ranges, total comp, and negotiation tactics specific to the junior level in 2026.
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Machine Learning Engineer salary by level in San Francisco
See how junior-level pay compares to other seniority bands for the same role and location.
* Figures are approximate estimates relative to the junior-level verified data above.
What does a Junior Machine Learning Engineer earn in San Francisco in 2026?
The median base salary for a Junior Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco is $44K per year, with the 25th–75th percentile range spanning $38K–$52K. Total annual compensation — including bonuses and equity — typically reaches $55K at the median for junior-level engineers.
At the junior level, engineers are typically 0–2 years into their careers and working under close mentorship. Compensation reflects this: base salaries sit well below the market median across all seniority bands, but the gap closes quickly with demonstrated impact.
To negotiate effectively, open at $49K — the 65th percentile for this level and location — which gives you room to settle above median while appearing reasonable. Know your walk-away floor: $38K.
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Top-paying companies for Junior Machine Learning Engineers in San Francisco
| Company | Median Base |
|---|---|
| OpenAI | $207K |
| Anthropic | $200K |
| Google DeepMind | $154K |
| Meta AI | $147K |
| Microsoft Research | $144K |
| Tesla | $123K |
| Palantir | $137K |
Skills that pay more at the junior level
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