H1B Machine Learning Engineer Salary Boston 2026

Boston is the strongest ML engineering H1B market in the Northeast outside New York, with 2,800 FY2024 MLE filings and a median wage of $172,000 -- 43% above national. Boston's MLE market combines enterprise tech (Amazon, Wayfair), life sciences AI (Moderna, Biogen), and MIT-fed research talent.

2,800
FY2024 Filings
$172,000
Median Wage
+43%
vs National

H1B Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Level in Boston

RoleMedian
MLE L4$152,000
Senior MLE L5$188,000
Staff MLE L6$228,000
Principal MLE$272,000
Research Scientist$212,000

Source: DOL LCA disclosures, FY2024.

Top H1B Employers for Machine Learning Engineers in Boston

EmployerMedian Wage
Amazon Boston MLE$192,000
Wayfair ML$178,000
Moderna ML/AI$182,000
iRobot (Amazon)$168,000
Biogen AI$172,000
Akamai ML$165,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston Quick Facts

FY2024 MLE Filings
2,800
Median Wage
$172,000
State Income Tax
5% flat
1BR Rent (median)
~$2,800/mo
Median Home Price
~$620,000
COL vs SF
-18%
Top SOC Code
15-2051