Staff Machine Learning Engineer Salary in London (2026)
Staff Machine Learning Engineers in London earn a median base salary of £180K per year, based on 5,000 verified data points. This guide covers salary ranges, total comp, and negotiation tactics specific to the staff level in 2026.
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Machine Learning Engineer salary by level in London
See how staff-level pay compares to other seniority bands for the same role and location.
* Figures are approximate estimates relative to the staff-level verified data above.
What does a Staff Machine Learning Engineer earn in London in 2026?
The median base salary for a Staff Machine Learning Engineer in London is £180K per year, with the 25th–75th percentile range spanning £133K–£240K. Total annual compensation — including bonuses and equity — typically reaches £216K at the median for staff-level engineers.
At the staff level, engineers operate across team boundaries, influencing technical direction at the organisational level. Staff+ roles are genuinely scarce: most engineering organisations have fewer Staff engineers than Senior, which keeps compensation elevated.
To negotiate effectively, open at £216K — the 65th percentile for this level and location — which gives you room to settle above median while appearing reasonable. Know your walk-away floor: £133K.
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Top-paying companies for Staff Machine Learning Engineers in London
| Company | Median Base |
|---|---|
| DeepMind | £215K |
| Google London | £195K |
| Stability AI | £182K |
| Wayve | £173K |
Skills that pay more at the staff level
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