Machine Learning Engineer Salary in San Antonio 2026

Quick Answer

About This Data Gap

As of April 2026, specific Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for machine learning engineers in the San Antonio metropolitan area is not available in our current dataset. This is not uncommon for specialized technical roles, particularly in emerging fields like machine learning, where:

1. Occupational Classification: Machine learning engineers may be classified under broader SOC codes such as “Software Developers” (SOC 15-1252) or “Computer Occupations, All Other” (SOC 15-1299), making isolated salary data difficult to extract.

2. Regional Variation: Specialized tech roles show significant salary variation based on local tech hub concentration, and San Antonio’s ML engineer market may not have sufficient survey responses for BLS publication.

3. Data Freshness: BLS OEWS data is typically published with a lag; 2026 data for specialized roles may still be in collection or validation phases.

How to Find Machine Learning Engineer Salary Data for San Antonio

Official Sources to Consult:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Visit bls.gov and search for “Software Developers, Applications” or “Computer Occupations, All Other” for the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). These broader categories often include ML engineers.

• Department of Labor H-1B Disclosure Database: If you’re interested in employer-sponsored visa positions, the DOL’s H-1B Labor Condition Application (LCA) database provides employer-reported salary data for specific companies in San Antonio.

• Census American Community Survey (ACS): The Census Bureau’s ACS provides household income and employment data by occupation and geography, though at a more aggregated level than OEWS.

• Company Career Pages: Major San Antonio employers in tech (including defense contractors, healthcare IT, and financial services firms) often publish salary ranges for ML engineer positions.

San Antonio’s Tech Employment Landscape

San Antonio is home to several industries that employ machine learning engineers:

• Cybersecurity and Defense: The presence of military installations and defense contractors creates demand for ML engineers in security applications.
• Healthcare Technology: Major healthcare systems in San Antonio employ ML specialists for clinical analytics and medical imaging.
• Financial Services: Regional financial institutions use ML for fraud detection and risk modeling.

The nearby cities of New Braunfels, San Marcos, and Schertz are part of the greater San Antonio metropolitan area and may offer additional employment opportunities for ML engineers, though salary data for these micro-markets is similarly limited.

Cost of Living Context for San Antonio

While specific ML engineer salary data is unavailable, understanding San Antonio’s cost of living is essential for salary evaluation:

San Antonio has a lower cost of living compared to major tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, or Boston. This means:

• Salary Purchasing Power: A salary that appears modest compared to Silicon Valley may provide significantly better purchasing power in San Antonio.
• Rent and Housing: San Antonio’s housing costs are substantially lower than coastal tech centers, allowing for better savings rates.
• Negotiation Leverage: When evaluating job offers, consider the CoL-adjusted value rather than the nominal salary alone.

Factors Affecting Machine Learning Engineer Compensation in San Antonio

When researching or negotiating ML engineer salaries in San Antonio, consider:

1. Experience Level: Entry-level vs. senior roles show significant variation (typically 30-50% difference).
2. Specialization: ML engineers with expertise in specific domains (healthcare, cybersecurity, finance) command premium salaries.
3. Company Size: Large defense contractors and established healthcare systems may pay differently than startups.
4. Educational Background: Advanced degrees (MS in Machine Learning, PhD) may correlate with higher offers.
5. Remote Work: The prevalence of remote positions in tech means you may be competing with candidates nationally, which can affect local salary benchmarks.

Job Outlook for Machine Learning Engineers

Machine learning remains one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. labor market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software development and AI-related roles are projected to grow significantly over the next decade, driven by:

• Increased adoption of AI across industries
• Expansion of healthcare analytics and medical AI
• Growing cybersecurity demands
• Digital transformation in financial services

San Antonio’s position as a growing tech hub—particularly in defense and healthcare—suggests strong local demand for ML talent.

FAQ

Where can I find verified salary data for machine learning engineers in San Antonio?

The most reliable sources are the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS database (search for software developer or computer occupations data for the San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA), the Census American Community Survey, and the DOL’s H-1B LCA database for employer-specific data. Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, and Blind also aggregate self-reported salary data, though these should be cross-referenced with official sources.

How does the San Antonio tech job market compare to other cities?

San Antonio has lower average tech salaries than major hubs like San Francisco or New York, but offers significantly lower cost of living. This means real purchasing power may be comparable or better. San Antonio’s growth in defense, healthcare, and cybersecurity creates unique opportunities not available in every tech market.

What’s the typical career progression and salary growth for ML engineers in San Antonio?

While specific San Antonio data is limited, national trends show ML engineers progress from entry-level (0-2 years) to mid-level (3-7 years) to senior/staff roles (8+ years), with salary increases of 15-25% at each transition. Specialization and leadership responsibilities drive further compensation growth.

Should I relocate to San Antonio for an ML engineer position?

This depends on your current location, the specific offer, and your career goals. Use a cost-of-living calculator to compare your current salary’s purchasing power to a San Antonio offer. If relocating from a high-CoL area, a lower nominal salary may actually represent a raise in real terms. Consider the local job market depth—San Antonio is growing but smaller than major tech hubs.

What skills command the highest salaries for ML engineers in San Antonio?

Specialization in high-demand areas typically increases compensation: cybersecurity/threat detection, healthcare/medical imaging, financial modeling, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP). Advanced degrees and published research can also support higher offers.

How do H-1B sponsored positions affect ML engineer salaries in San Antonio?

H-1B positions must meet Department of Labor prevailing wage requirements, which are typically set at the median or higher for the occupation and location. Checking the DOL’s H-1B LCA database can reveal what major San Antonio employers are offering visa-sponsored candidates—this data is public and can inform your salary expectations.

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Data source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Note: Specific machine learning engineer salary data for San Antonio was not available as of April 2026; this article provides guidance on finding verified compensation data and understanding the local market.

Last updated: April 13, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is informational and based on publicly available labor market data. Actual compensation varies based on individual qualifications, employer, and market conditions. This is not financial or career advice. Always verify current salary data with official sources before making employment decisions.