Principal Machine Learning Engineer Salary in London (2026)
Principal Machine Learning Engineers in London earn a median base salary of £207K per year, based on 5,000 verified data points. This guide covers salary ranges, total comp, and negotiation tactics specific to the principal level in 2026.
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Machine Learning Engineer salary by level in London
See how principal-level pay compares to other seniority bands for the same role and location.
* Figures are approximate estimates relative to the principal-level verified data above.
What does a Principal Machine Learning Engineer earn in London in 2026?
The median base salary for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer in London is £207K per year, with the 25th–75th percentile range spanning £153K–£277K. Total annual compensation — including bonuses and equity — typically reaches £247K at the median for principal-level engineers.
At the principal level, engineers own cross-organisational technical strategy. The Principal level is the individual contributor equivalent of a Director, and compensation reflects both the scarcity of this talent and the leverage these engineers provide.
To negotiate effectively, open at £249K — the 65th percentile for this level and location — which gives you room to settle above median while appearing reasonable. Know your walk-away floor: £153K.
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Top-paying companies for Principal Machine Learning Engineers in London
| Company | Median Base |
|---|---|
| DeepMind | £247K |
| Google London | £224K |
| Stability AI | £209K |
| Wayve | £200K |
Skills that pay more at the principal level
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