Tech · Scottsdale, AZ

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)

Median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Scottsdale is approximately $194,700/year — 18.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Scottsdale

$194,700
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$94
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$7,488
Monthly
$16,225
Annual (gross)
$194,700
vs Arizona state average
State avg: $165,000
+$29,700
vs US national
National median: $165,000
+$29,700

After-tax estimate

$142,812
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$194,700
Federal tax (~14%)
−$27,258
FICA (7.65%)
−$14,895
Arizona state tax
~5% effective
−$9,735
Estimated take-home
$142,812
Monthly take-home
$11,901
For exact take-home, use our Scottsdale Paycheck Calculator.
Machine Learning Engineer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Scottsdale
Seattle, WA1.18×$194,700+$0
Long Beach, CA1.18×$194,700+$0
Anaheim, CA1.18×$194,700+$0
Yonkers, NY1.20×$198,000+$3,300
Anchorage, AK1.20×$198,000+$3,300

Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Scottsdale, AZ

The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Scottsdale, Arizona is $194,700/year, working out to approximately $94/hour at full-time, $7,488 per biweekly paycheck, or $16,225/month before taxes. Scottsdale's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.18× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Arizona state average for this role ($165,000), Scottsdale pays about $29,700 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 Scottsdale

Of the gross $194,700, you take home roughly $142,812 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)
  • Scottsdale has no local income tax

That works out to about $11,901/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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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. Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale?
The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Scottsdale, Arizona is $194,700 per year, or approximately $94/hour at standard full-time. Scottsdale sits 18.0% above the US national average for this role.
Scottsdale vs Arizona state — what's the salary difference?
Scottsdale: $194,700. Arizona state average for Machine Learning Engineer: $165,000. Difference: +$29,700 (18.0%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Scottsdale have a city income tax?
No, Scottsdale has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Arizona state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Scottsdale's cost of living relative to the US average. Scottsdale's multiplier is 1.18× 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 Scottsdale?
Estimate: $142,812/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Arizona state tax (~5.0% effective), and Scottsdale local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Scottsdale Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.