Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Phoenix, AZ (2026)
Median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Phoenix is approximately $168,300/year — 2.0% above the US national average.
Salary breakdown — Phoenix
After-tax estimate
| City | Cost mult. | Estimated annual | vs Phoenix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 1.02× | $168,300 | +$0 |
| Atlanta, GA | 1.02× | $168,300 | +$0 |
| Tampa, FL | 1.02× | $168,300 | +$0 |
| Henderson, NV | 1.02× | $168,300 | +$0 |
| Reno, NV | 1.02× | $168,300 | +$0 |
Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Phoenix, AZ
The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Phoenix, Arizona is $168,300/year, working out to approximately $81/hour at full-time, $6,473 per biweekly paycheck, or $14,025/month before taxes. Phoenix's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.02× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.
Compared to the Arizona state average for this role ($165,000), Phoenix pays about $3,300 more. 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 Phoenix
Of the gross $168,300, you take home roughly $123,448 after:
- Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
- FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
- Arizona state income tax (~5% effective)
- Phoenix has no local income tax
That works out to about $10,287/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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
- Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Phoenix 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 Phoenix employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.
Related calculators
Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Arizona — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Phoenix Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.