folvr

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Nashville, Tennessee

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$113,421/ year

Median Machine Learning Engineer in Nashville, TN

$67,158
10th
$81,900
25th
$113,421
Median
$152,250
75th
$185,745
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$113,421
Total compensation (est.)
$130,434
Bonus range
$3,900 – $17,400
Mean salary
$120,226

How This Compares

Nashville, TN median
$113,421
Tennessee median
$110,180+2.9%
National median
$108,020+5.0%

Cost of living in Nashville is 5% above the national average. Salary of $113,421 here is equivalent to $108,020 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$81,663-28.0%
3-5 years
$103,213-9.0%
6-10 years
$127,032+12.0%
10+ years
$156,521+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$99,810-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$113,421
Enterprise (5,000+)
$133,837+18.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$115K
$30K$500K

Machine Learning Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Memphis, TN$87,496/yr
Knoxville, TN$108,020/yr
Chattanooga, TN$108,020/yr
Clarksville, TN$108,020/yr

Related Jobs in Nashville

Software Engineer$136,668/yr
Senior Software Engineer$136,668/yr
Frontend Developer$131,135/yr
Backend Developer$136,668/yr
Full Stack Developer$136,668/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$55/hr
Monthly gross$9,452/mo
25th percentile$81,900/yr
75th percentile$152,250/yr

Find Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Nashville

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Tennessee Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.6%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Machine Learning Engineer Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Machine Learning Engineer salary in Nashville?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Nashville is $113,421 per year, with a range from $81,900 at the 25th percentile to $152,250 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Machine Learning Engineer pay in Nashville compare to the national average?

Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Nashville are 5% above the national median of $108,020. After adjusting for Nashville's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $108,020 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Nashville?

In Nashville, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Machine Learning Engineer roles start around $67,158, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $185,745 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Nashville a good place for Machine Learning Engineer jobs?

Nashville offers a Machine Learning Engineer median of $113,421, which is 5% above the US median of $108,020. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Nashville is 5% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Machine Learning Engineer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Machine Learning Engineer in Nashville is $152,250, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.