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Machine learning engineer salary ranges in Chicago

What open ML & AI postings in Chicago say they pay: the top and the low end of the range each one states, in yearly dollars.

$190,000median top
Bars: how many postings top out in each $25k step. From 62 open postings that state pay, read October 14, 2026.

By level

How far the posted top moves from one level to the next, for ML & AI in Chicago.

The middle half of posted tops by level, in Chicago
  1. Senior19 postings
    $190,000$180k–$205k
  2. Manager and above10 postings
    $218,000$167k–$269k

Best-paying companies in Chicago

Ranked by the median top of their open ML & AI postings in Chicago, among companies with at least three that state pay.

The companies whose ML & AI postings in Chicago state the highest median top
  1. William Blair3 with pay
    $187,000$174k–$205k
  2. Bain & Company4 with pay
    $183,000$143k–$226k
  3. Pepsico4 with pay
    $171,000$156k–$191k
  4. Cna3 with pay
    $141,000$141k–$165k
  5. Uchicago3 with pay
    $120,000$108k–$120k

Machine learning engineer pay by place

The same work in every place with enough postings, highest median first; Chicago is marked.

The middle half of posted tops for ML & AI, by place
  1. SF Bay Area1,820 postings
    $288,000$242k–$350k
  2. New York579 postings
    $250,000$213k–$300k
  3. All of the US5,579 postings
    $247,000$195k–$300k
  4. Seattle472 postings
    $242,000$194k–$301k
  5. Remote1,108 postings
    $240,000$185k–$300k
  6. Austin73 postings
    $239,000$193k–$261k
  7. Boston166 postings
    $220,000$180k–$258k
  8. Washington DC102 postings
    $220,000$190k–$263k
  9. Los Angeles74 postings
    $210,000$180k–$250k
  10. San Diego68 postings
    $209,000$182k–$239k
  11. Atlanta30 postings
    $204,000$171k–$246k
  12. Denver35 postings
    $195,000$160k–$232k
  13. Chicago62 postings
    $190,000$151k–$225k
  14. Dallas56 postings
    $187,000$155k–$228k

Other work in Chicago

Using these numbers

  • Before you apply, check where the posting's own range sits against the middle half here. A range far below it is worth a question before you spend an afternoon on the application.
  • When they ask what you expect, a figure inside the middle half for your level is one the market has already posted. Name the top of the posting's range if your experience matches what it asks for.
  • Remember what a top is: the most a company says it may pay for the role. Offers land anywhere in the range, and equity and bonus are not in it.

Questions

How much do machine learning engineer jobs pay in Chicago?

Open ML & AI postings in Chicago that state pay post a median top of $190,000 a year; the middle half runs from $151,000 to $225,000, and the median low end of the ranges is $136,000. That is from 62 postings as of October 14, 2026.

How does the pay change with level?

For ML & AI postings in Chicago, the median posted top is $190,000 for senior, $218,000 for manager and above.

Which companies post the most for ML & AI in Chicago?

Among companies with at least three postings that state pay, William Blair ($187,000), Bain & Company ($183,000), Pepsico ($171,000) post the highest median tops.

Where do these numbers come from?

From the pay ranges employers state in their own open job postings, which DonutApply reads from company job boards and public job feeds every day. They are what a company says it may pay for the role, not salaries anyone reported.

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