Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Raleigh 2026

Quick Answer

About This Search

You’re researching machine learning engineer compensation in Raleigh, North Carolina — an important data point for career planning, relocation decisions, and salary negotiation. Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle metro area (which includes Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Apex), a growing tech hub with significant investment in AI, software development, and data science roles.

Why Data May Be Limited

Machine learning engineer is a specialized occupational category that may not have dedicated BLS OEWS statistics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics typically publishes data for broader categories like “Software Developers” (SOC 15-1251) or “Computer Occupations, All Other” (SOC 15-1299). Machine learning roles often fall within these umbrella categories, which means:

• Aggregated data: Salary figures may combine multiple specializations, potentially understating ML engineer compensation
• Emerging role: As an evolving field, ML engineer salary data is sometimes captured through H-1B visa disclosures or private salary surveys rather than official BLS surveys
• Geographic specificity: Raleigh-area data may be limited compared to major tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, or New York

How to Find Current Salary Data

Official Sources

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Visit bls.gov/oes and search for “Software Developers, Applications” or “Computer and Information Research Scientists” for the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan statistical area (MSA code 39580)
2. Department of Labor H-1B Disclosures: Search dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor for employer-sponsored visa applications in the Triangle area — these include actual offered salaries
3. Census ACS Data: Review median household income and cost-of-living metrics for Raleigh via census.gov

Private Salary Databases

• Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, and PayScale aggregate self-reported salary data from tech professionals
• These sources often provide role-specific breakdowns and allow filtering by experience level and company

Local Resources

The Research Triangle area includes major employers (IBM, Cisco, SAS, Red Hat, and growing startup ecosystems) that regularly post machine learning roles. Job postings often include salary ranges, providing real-time market benchmarks.

Raleigh’s Tech Market Context

Raleigh is positioned as a secondary tech hub with:

• Lower cost of living than primary tech centers (San Francisco, Seattle, New York)
• Growing demand for software and data science talent
• Notable employers in enterprise software, biotech, and cloud computing
• Nearby universities (Duke, UNC, NC State) producing computer science graduates

This typically results in machine learning engineer salaries that are competitive but below Bay Area levels — a trade-off many professionals weigh when considering relocation.

Cost of Living Considerations

While specific rent and housing data for Raleigh isn’t provided in this dataset, the Research Triangle area is known for:

• Moderate housing costs compared to major tech hubs
• No state income tax in North Carolina (advantage vs. California, New York, Washington)
• Growing rental market as tech talent influx increases demand

These factors make Raleigh attractive for machine learning engineers seeking better cost-of-living-adjusted compensation than coastal tech centers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical salary range for machine learning engineers in Raleigh?

While specific Raleigh data is unavailable, machine learning engineers nationally typically earn between $120,000 and $200,000+ annually depending on experience level, company size, and specialization. Given Raleigh’s lower cost of living and secondary market status, salaries may trend 10–20% below Bay Area levels but higher than smaller metros. Check H-1B disclosures and current job postings for current market rates.

How does Raleigh compare to nearby tech hubs for ML engineer salaries?

Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle metro area alongside Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary. This region typically offers competitive salaries for the Southeast but lower than primary tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, or Austin. The trade-off is a significantly lower cost of living, which improves purchasing power despite lower nominal salaries.

What factors affect machine learning engineer salaries in Raleigh?

Key factors include years of experience, educational background (advanced degrees in CS, math, or related fields command premiums), company size and funding stage (enterprise vs. startup), specific ML specializations (deep learning, NLP, computer vision), and whether the role requires security clearance (relevant for defense contractors in the Triangle).

Is it worth relocating to Raleigh for a machine learning engineer role?

Relocation decisions depend on your current location and total compensation package. Raleigh offers no state income tax, lower housing costs than coastal tech hubs, and access to a growing ML/AI job market. If relocating from a high-cost area (Bay Area, NYC), your cost-of-living-adjusted salary may actually improve despite a lower nominal offer.

How do I research current machine learning engineer salaries in Raleigh?

Start with BLS OEWS data for “Software Developers” in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill MSA, review H-1B Labor Condition Application disclosures (dol.gov), check Glassdoor and Levels.fyi for self-reported data, and monitor job postings from major Triangle employers. Combine multiple sources for the most accurate picture.

What’s the job outlook for machine learning engineers in Raleigh?

Machine learning and AI roles are among the fastest-growing occupations nationally. The Research Triangle’s investment in tech, presence of major software companies, and proximity to research universities (Duke, UNC, NC State) suggest strong local demand. However, specific Raleigh job projections data was unavailable at the time of this article’s publication.

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This article is based on available public data sources as of April 2026. Salary figures, cost-of-living data, and job projections come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, and Department of Labor. Actual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, and market conditions. This content is informational and should not be considered financial or career advice. Always verify current data directly from official sources before making relocation or career decisions.

Last updated: April 13, 2026