Tech · Grand Rapids, MI

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)

Median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Grand Rapids is approximately $153,500/year — 7.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Grand Rapids

$153,500
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$74
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$5,904
Monthly
$12,792
Annual (gross)
$153,500
vs Michigan state average
State avg: $153,500
+$0
vs US national
National median: $165,000
-$11,500

After-tax estimate

$110,290
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$153,500
Federal tax (~14%)
−$21,490
FICA (7.65%)
−$11,743
Michigan state tax
~5% effective
−$7,675
Grand Rapids local tax (1.50%)
−$2,303
Estimated take-home
$110,290
Monthly take-home
$9,191
For exact take-home, use our Grand Rapids Paycheck Calculator.
Machine Learning Engineer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Grand Rapids
San Antonio, TX0.93×$153,500+$0
Milwaukee, WI0.94×$155,100+$1,600
Albuquerque, NM0.94×$155,100+$1,600
New Orleans, LA0.94×$155,100+$1,600
Columbus, OH0.92×$151,800-$1,700

Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Grand Rapids, MI

The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Grand Rapids, Michigan is $153,500/year, working out to approximately $74/hour at full-time, $5,904 per biweekly paycheck, or $12,792/month before taxes. Grand Rapids's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.93× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Take-home pay in Grand Rapids

Of the gross $153,500, you take home roughly $110,290 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Michigan state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Grand Rapids local tax: 1.50% — significant for Grand Rapids workers

That works out to about $9,191/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Grand Rapids Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Grand Rapids pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Grand Rapids typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Grand Rapids employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Michigan — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Grand Rapids Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Grand Rapids?
The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Grand Rapids, Michigan is $153,500 per year, or approximately $74/hour at standard full-time. Grand Rapids sits 7.0% below the US national average for this role.
Grand Rapids vs Michigan state — what's the salary difference?
Grand Rapids: $153,500. Michigan state average for Machine Learning Engineer: $153,500. Difference: +$0 (0.0%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Grand Rapids have a city income tax?
Yes — Grand Rapids levies a local income tax of approximately 1.50% on top of federal and Michigan state taxes. This affects take-home pay calculations significantly.
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Grand Rapids's cost of living relative to the US average. Grand Rapids's multiplier is 0.93× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Machine Learning Engineer in Grand Rapids?
Estimate: $110,290/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Michigan state tax (~5.0% effective), and Grand Rapids local tax (1.50%). For exact numbers, use the Grand Rapids Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.