Tech · Lubbock, TX

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Lubbock, TX (2026)

Median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Lubbock is approximately $145,200/year — 12.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Lubbock

$145,200
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$70
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$5,585
Monthly
$12,100
Annual (gross)
$145,200
vs Texas state average
State avg: $160,100
-$14,900
vs US national
National median: $165,000
-$19,800

After-tax estimate

$113,764
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$145,200
Federal tax (~14%)
−$20,328
FICA (7.65%)
−$11,108
Texas state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$113,764
Monthly take-home
$9,480
For exact take-home, use our Lubbock Paycheck Calculator.
Machine Learning Engineer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Lubbock
Birmingham, AL0.88×$145,200+$0
Toledo, OH0.88×$145,200+$0
Memphis, TN0.89×$146,900+$1,700
Oklahoma City, OK0.89×$146,900+$1,700
Lincoln, NE0.89×$146,900+$1,700

Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Lubbock, TX

The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Lubbock, Texas is $145,200/year, working out to approximately $70/hour at full-time, $5,585 per biweekly paycheck, or $12,100/month before taxes. Lubbock's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.88× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Texas state average for this role ($160,100), Lubbock pays about $14,900 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Lubbock

Of the gross $145,200, you take home roughly $113,764 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Texas state income tax (none)
  • Lubbock has no local income tax

That works out to about $9,480/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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Lubbock 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 Lubbock employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Texas — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Lubbock 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 Lubbock?
The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Lubbock, Texas is $145,200 per year, or approximately $70/hour at standard full-time. Lubbock sits 12.0% below the US national average for this role.
Lubbock vs Texas state — what's the salary difference?
Lubbock: $145,200. Texas state average for Machine Learning Engineer: $160,100. Difference: -$14,900 (9.3%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Lubbock have a city income tax?
No, Lubbock has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state tax apply (Texas has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Lubbock's cost of living relative to the US average. Lubbock's multiplier is 0.88× 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 Lubbock?
Estimate: $113,764/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Texas state tax (~0.0% effective), and Lubbock local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Lubbock Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.