Machine Learning Engineer Salary: How to Compare Job Offers Using the Salary Index

Machine learning engineer salary: reading a job ad and comparing offers

When you see a job advertisement for a machine learning engineer, the salary figure is often the first thing you check. But without context, a number like $120,000 or $140,000 can be hard to judge. Is it a fair offer? How does it compare to what others earn? The Australian Salary Index helps you answer those questions by placing any salary against a national benchmark.

What is the Salary Index?

The Salary Index sets the national line at 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Your own salary index is calculated as:

Your annual gross salary ÷ $108,352 × 100

For example, a $120,000 salary gives an index of 110.7, meaning it sits about 11% above the national average. A $90,000 salary gives an index of 83.1, below the line.

Where does a machine learning engineer salary sit?

There is no official published salary for machine learning engineers from the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Fair Work Commission. The role is relatively new and small – Jobs and Skills Australia counted only 209 people in the occupation as of the 2021 Census, with 86% working full-time and most aged 25–44. That small workforce means no dedicated award classification exists.

However, machine learning engineers are typically employed in industries covered by awards such as the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Award or, in some cases, the Mining Industry Award or Health Professionals and Support Services Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides list minimum rates for classifications under these awards, but none specifically name machine learning engineer. For example, the Mining Industry Award has rates for IT professionals that start around $75,000–$85,000, but actual machine learning roles usually pay well above award minima.

Using the index to compare job offers

When you have a job ad in hand, follow these steps:

1. Note the annual gross salary – most ads quote a range, e.g., $110,000–$140,000.
2. Calculate the index for the midpoint or the figure you expect. For $125,000: 125,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 115.4.
3. Compare to the relevant industry index. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry index is 114.7 – very close to that midpoint. If the ad is for a mining company, the Mining industry index is 154.7, so a $125,000 offer (index 115.4) would be below the industry average.
4. Consider location. The states page shows state indices: ACT is 109.9, WA is 106.9, NSW is 101.2, while TAS is 88.6. A $125,000 offer in Tasmania (index 115.4) is well above the state average, but the same offer in the ACT is only slightly above.

What about awards and minimums?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 annualised (index 48.2). No machine learning engineer should be paid that little. Even entry-level award rates for IT roles are around $25–$30 per hour. But most machine learning engineer salaries are set by market rates, not awards. The how the index works page explains that award minima rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026, but that only affects the floor.

Super and tax considerations

Your salary package may include superannuation. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on earnings up to $270,830. If an ad says “$120,000 + super”, your total remuneration is $134,400 (including super), but the index is calculated on the base salary unless otherwise stated. For take-home pay, remember resident tax rates for 2026–27: 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000, plus 2% Medicare levy. A $120,000 salary would have about $29,000 withheld, leaving roughly $91,000 net.

Practical example: comparing two ads

Ad A: Machine learning engineer, Sydney, $130,000 + super. Industry: professional services.

• Index: 130,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 120.0
• Professional services industry index: 114.7 → offer is 5.3 points above industry average.
• NSW state index: 101.2 → offer is well above state average.

Ad B: Machine learning engineer, Perth, $115,000 + super. Industry: mining.

• Index: 115,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 106.1
• Mining industry index: 154.7 → offer is 48.6 points below industry average.
• WA state index: 106.9 → offer is just below state average.

Ad A looks strong relative to its industry; Ad B may be under market for mining, even though the raw number is higher than the national line.

Limitations of the data

The Salary Index, industries, and states pages use gross ordinary-time benchmarks, not actual job offers. They are a guide, not a quote. No public source gives a definitive machine learning engineer salary. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains minimum rates for award classifications, but machine learning engineer is not one of them. Always cross-check with multiple job ads and consider your experience level.

Summary

When you read a job ad for a machine learning engineer, the Salary Index lets you see where that number sits against the national line and against relevant industry and state benchmarks. Use the index to decide whether an offer is competitive, and remember that the role is not covered by a specific award – your pay is largely determined by market demand and your negotiation.

For more on how to use the index, see how the index works. For award pay guides, visit pay guides. And if you want to compare by state, check the states page.