Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Machine Learning Engineer vs Site Reliability Engineer salary

In United States, a machine learning engineer earns about 3% more than a site reliability engineer $180,000 vs $174,000 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
Site Reliability Engineer
$174,000/yr
Monthly
$14,500
Hourly
$84
Range
$108,200$254,400
10-yr outlook
+22%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileMachine Learning EngineerSite Reliability Engineer
Entry (10th)$107,100$108,200
25th$143,600$141,100
Median$180,000$174,000
75th$224,600$214,200
Senior (90th)$269,100$254,400

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 site reliability engineer earn more in United States?
A machine learning engineer earns more, at about $180,000 per year vs $174,000 for a site reliability engineer — roughly 3% ($6,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A machine learning engineer typically earns $107,100–$269,100, while a site reliability engineer earns $108,200–$254,400 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 site reliability engineer about $14,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a machine learning engineer earns about $107,100 while a site reliability engineer earns about $108,200 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 site reliability engineer earns about $254,400 per year.
Are machine learning engineer and site reliability 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.