Tech · Spokane, WA

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Spokane, WA (2026)

Median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Spokane is approximately $158,400/year — 4.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Spokane

$158,400
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$76
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$6,092
Monthly
$13,200
Annual (gross)
$158,400
vs Washington state average
State avg: $181,500
-$23,100
vs US national
National median: $165,000
-$6,600

After-tax estimate

$124,106
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$158,400
Federal tax (~14%)
−$22,176
FICA (7.65%)
−$12,118
Washington state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$124,106
Monthly take-home
$10,342
For exact take-home, use our Spokane Paycheck Calculator.
Machine Learning Engineer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Spokane
Houston, TX0.96×$158,400+$0
Fort Worth, TX0.96×$158,400+$0
Tucson, AZ0.96×$158,400+$0
Glendale, AZ0.96×$158,400+$0
Garland, TX0.96×$158,400+$0

Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Spokane, WA

The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Spokane, Washington is $158,400/year, working out to approximately $76/hour at full-time, $6,092 per biweekly paycheck, or $13,200/month before taxes. Spokane's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.96× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Washington state average for this role ($181,500), Spokane pays about $23,100 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 Spokane

Of the gross $158,400, you take home roughly $124,106 after:

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

That works out to about $10,342/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 Spokane 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 Spokane pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Spokane 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 Spokane employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Washington — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Spokane 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 Spokane?
The estimated median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Spokane, Washington is $158,400 per year, or approximately $76/hour at standard full-time. Spokane sits 4.0% below the US national average for this role.
Spokane vs Washington state — what's the salary difference?
Spokane: $158,400. Washington state average for Machine Learning Engineer: $181,500. Difference: -$23,100 (12.7%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Spokane have a city income tax?
No, Spokane has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Washington state tax apply (Washington has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Spokane's cost of living relative to the US average. Spokane's multiplier is 0.96× 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 Spokane?
Estimate: $124,106/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Washington state tax (~0.0% effective), and Spokane local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Spokane Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.