Deep Learning Salary: Your 2026 Guide

Key takeaways

• Deep learning salary data shows you could earn a median total pay of up to $202,000, depending on your role [1].

• Your level of experience can impact your earning potential, according to deep learning engineer salary data, which shows that someone just beginning their career earns $135,000, which increases to a median total pay of $235,000 for someone with 15 or more years of experience [1].

• Other deep learning job salary-determining factors include your location, industry, and the company you work for.

You can increase your deep learning salary by building a portfolio, improving your resume, and enhancing your skills. Explore some of your options in the deep learning field and the average deep learning salary for different job titles. If you’re ready to begin developing your skills in the field of deep learning, enroll in the Deep Learning Specialization offered by DeepLearning.AI. In as little as three months, you can learn about artificial neural networks, natural language processing, model evaluation, supervised learning, TensorFlow, and more.

What is deep learning?

Deep learning is a type of machine learning that uses deep neural networks and allows computers to think similarly to humans. Deep neural networks are AI models with many hidden layers where information passes through connections of nodes that act like the human brain. Each node can interact with the input data differently and pass the manipulated data on to the next layer. Each layer adds another dimension to how the algorithm can work with data, so adding many layers allows the AI model to understand and react to data in more complex ways. Deep learning careers often refer to deep learning engineers.

What is a deep learning engineer?

Similar to a machine learning engineer, deep learning engineers use deep learning AI algorithms to create solutions to real-world problems. While deep learning is a form of machine learning, machine learning usually refers to more straightforward, less computationally complex AI algorithms than those you’ll use in deep learning. As a deep learning engineer, you may work on projects involving computer vision, speech and facial recognition, natural language processing, and data analysis, among other possibilities.

Read more: Deep Learning vs. Machine Learning: A Beginner’s Guide

Deep learning engineer salary and job outlook

As a deep learning engineer in the United States, you can earn a median total pay of $202,000, according to Glassdoor [1]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

While the US Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t specifically report on the job outlook for deep learning engineers, you may include them in the category of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. The agency reports that this job category will rise by 15 percent between 2024 and 2034 [2].

Grand View Research reports that the global deep learning market (valued at $132.3 billion in 2025) will grow at a collective annual growth rate of 30.1 percent through 2033 [3]. This growth highlights the promising career opportunities for professionals with deep learning expertise.

Deep learning careers

With a background of deep learning skills and experience, you may be able to work in a role that differs slightly from that of a deep learning engineer. A few examples of job titles you may hold include deep learning research analyst, machine learning engineer, or natural language processing engineer.

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of July 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Deep learning research analyst

Median total pay in the US (Glassdoor): $155,000 [4]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 20 percent [5]

Education requirements: You will need to earn a bachelor’s degree, and you may consider earning a master’s degree as well. Potential areas to study include machine learning, deep learning, robotics, mathematics, and data science.

As a deep learning research scientist, you will be a machine learning researcher working specifically on deep learning projects. You will use deep learning concepts to solve real-world problems or research deep learning itself and find ways to make this technology even more powerful and effective.

Machine learning engineer

Median total pay in the US (Glassdoor): $164,000 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 20 percent [5]

Education requirements: Generally, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, machine learning, or a related field.

As a machine learning engineer, you will also use AI algorithms to solve real-world problems. The main difference between a machine learning engineer and a deep learning engineer is that machine learning tends to refer to problems that require simple, less computationally powerful solutions than the problems that deep learning engineers work on.

Natural language processing engineer

Median total pay in the US (Glassdoor): $165,000 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 34 percent [8]

Education requirements: Consider obtaining an associate or bachelor's degree in a related field like engineering, data science, or computer science. For higher-level roles, a master's degree in data science or artificial intelligence, or a PhD in natural language processing (NLP), may be preferred or required.

As a natural language processing engineer, you will use deep learning to design AI models that recognize and respond appropriately to human language in written or spoken form. You will work with a team of other professionals to create software or software solutions, and your part of the job will be to add NLP functionality to the device. This includes testing and training the model to respond appropriately. You will also communicate your findings to your technical team, non-technical stakeholders, and leadership.

How to increase your deep learning salary

If you want to increase your salary as a deep learning engineer, consider pursuing one of the above-paid positions. Alternatively, you could build a portfolio and improve your resume and skills to qualify for a higher-paying position.

Gain experience

Sometimes, you can qualify for higher-paying jobs after you’ve gained some experience in an entry-level deep learning position. Glassdoor reports that the median total pay for a deep learning engineer can vary by experience, such as [1]:

• 0–1 years: $135,000

• 1–3 years: $149,000

• 4–6 years: $162,000

• 7–9 years: $176,000

• 10–14 years: $203,000

• 15+ years: $235,000

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of July 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Explore different industries

Another reason you might be able to qualify for a higher-paying job is by exploring some of the different industries that employ deep-learning engineers. Glassdoor also offers insight into the annual median total pay you can expect based on the industry you’re working in [1]:

• Legal: $187,000

• Aerospace and defense: $171,000

• Agriculture: $194,000

• Arts and entertainment: $190,000

• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: $175,000

• Management and consulting: $188,000

• Construction: $164,000

• Education: $167,000

• Financial services: $184,000

• Health care: $188,000

• Manufacturing: $162,000

• Energy, mining, and utilities: $176,000

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of July 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Compare companies

A third way to increase your salary is to explore job opportunities with different employers. Some companies pay a higher median total pay to deep learning engineers than others. Explore the insight Glassdoor offers [1]:

• Intel Corporation: $217,000

• NVIDIA: $290,000

• Micron Technology: $193,000

• TuSimple: $213,000

• Visteon: $154,000

• Matroid: $169,000

• Scotty Labs: $170,000

• IBM: $165,000

• Deloitte: $151,000

• Magic Leap: $186,000

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of July 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Discover more with our free resources

Explore career paths, assess your skills, and connect with resume guidance while browsing our Career Resources Hub. Or if you want to learn more about topics related to deep learning, check out these free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Career Spotlight: Machine Learning Engineer

• Take a quiz: Which Machine Learning Course Should You Take? Find Out in 1 Minute

• Read our Career Chat issue: 6 Machine Learning Certificates + How to Choose the Right One for You

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