Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Machine Learning Engineer vs QA Engineer salary

In United States, a machine learning engineer earns about 64% more than a qa engineer $180,000 vs $110,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Technology
Machine Learning Engineer
$180,000/yr
Monthly
$15,000
Hourly
$87
Range
$107,100$269,100
10-yr outlook
+40%
Technology
QA Engineer
$110,000/yr
Monthly
$9,200
Hourly
$53
Range
$74,400$153,600
10-yr outlook
+20%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileMachine Learning EngineerQA Engineer
Entry (10th)$107,100$74,400
25th$143,600$92,200
Median$180,000$110,000
75th$224,600$131,800
Senior (90th)$269,100$153,600

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a machine learning engineer or qa engineer earn more in United States?
A machine learning engineer earns more, at about $180,000 per year vs $110,000 for a qa engineer — roughly 64% ($70,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A machine learning engineer typically earns $107,100–$269,100, while a qa engineer earns $74,400–$153,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a machine learning engineer averages about $15,000 and a qa engineer about $9,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a machine learning engineer earns about $107,100 while a qa engineer earns about $74,400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a machine learning engineer earns about $269,100 while a qa engineer earns about $153,600 per year.
Are machine learning engineer and qa engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.