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Machine Learning Specialist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

OKX

Staff Machine Learning Engineer

San Jose, CA

This role sits within a multidisciplinary risk team of machine learning engineers, data scientists, risk strategy specialists, analytics engineers, product managers, and operations teams. You will ...

BigHat

Principal, Machine Learning Scientist

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$254 - $290/hr

Principal, Machine Learning Scientist Department: DS/ML (Data Science/Machine Learning) Employment ... specialists, data scientists, etc. to identify inefficiencies or potential improvements in BigHat ...

OKX

Staff Machine Learning Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

This role sits within a multidisciplinary risk team of machine learning engineers, data scientists, risk strategy specialists, analytics engineers, product managers, and operations teams. You will ...

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All JobsMachine Learning Specialist JobsMachine Learning Specialist Jobs in California

Machine Learning Specialist information

See California salary details

$20.2K

$53.2K

$95.7K

How much do machine learning specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for machine learning specialist in California is $53,219.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $59,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a machine learning specialist?

A Machine Learning Specialist is a professional who designs, develops, and implements machine learning models and algorithms to solve complex problems. They work with large datasets, use statistical and computational techniques, and optimize models for accuracy and efficiency. Their role often involves data preprocessing, feature engineering, model selection, and deployment. They collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, and domain experts to integrate machine learning solutions into business applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a machine learning specialist?

To thrive as a Machine Learning Specialist, you need a strong background in mathematics, programming (Python, R), and data analysis, typically supported by a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS or Azure is highly valued, and certifications in these can enhance your qualifications. Strong problem-solving skills, curiosity, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly make someone stand out in this field. These skills and qualifications are crucial for effectively developing, deploying, and explaining machine learning solutions to diverse stakeholders.

What are some common challenges a machine learning specialist might face?

Machine Learning Specialists often encounter challenges such as ensuring data quality, selecting appropriate algorithms, and scaling solutions for real-world application. Navigating the complexities of messy or incomplete datasets and tuning models for optimal performance can be demanding. Balancing innovation with practical deployment constraints, such as computational resources and integration with existing systems, is also common. To address these challenges, collaboration with data engineers, domain experts, and product teams is essential, and ongoing professional development helps specialists stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field.

Is machine learning a high paying job?

Machine learning specialists typically earn high salaries due to the specialized skills required, such as programming, data analysis, and knowledge of algorithms. Salaries vary by experience, location, and industry, but overall, the role is considered well-compensated within the tech field.

What are popular job titles related to Machine Learning Specialist jobs in California?

For Machine Learning Specialist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Machine Learning Specialist jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Machine Learning Specialist jobs in California are:

Machine Learning Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Machine Learning Specialist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,219 per year, or $25.6 per hour.

AI Training - Machine Learning Specialist (PST) (San Francisco)

Prolific

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$150/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

AI Trainer – Machine Learning Specialists About Prolific

Prolific is not just another player in the AI space – we are building the biggest pool of quality human data in the world.

Over 35,000 AI developers, researchers, and organizations use Prolific to gather data from paid study participants with a wide variety of experiences, knowledge, and skills.

The role

We're looking for AI Trainer – Machine Learning Specialists to help train and evaluate cutting‑edge AI models using real ML expertise. If you have the necessary experience, we'll send you a quick 10- to 15‑minute test to assess your skills and suitability for AI tasks. If successful, you'll be invited to join Prolific as a participant, where you'll get paid to train and evaluate powerful AI models.

Researchers looking for your skills tend to pay up to $150/hr per AI task completed. You must be prepared to complete paid tasks that require one hour of uninterrupted work, though many are shorter.

What you’ll bring
  • AI Training task skills and verifiable professional experience as a Machine Learning Specialist (e.g., ML engineer, data scientist, applied scientist, research engineer)
  • A willingness to take our skills verification test to assess your suitability for our participant pool
  • Strong attention to detail and the ability to concentrate on complex tasks for up to one hour at a time
  • A reliable and fast internet connection and access to a computer
  • A willingness to self‑declare your earnings, as our participants are self‑employed
  • A PayPal account to receive payment from our clients
What you’ll be doing in the role
  • Completing AI training tasks such as analyzing, editing, and writing annotations (including technical reasoning and structured evaluation)
  • Judging the performance of AI in performing ML‑relevant tasks (e.g., model/experiment critique, data leakage detection, metrics interpretation, debugging approach, methodology review)
  • Improving cutting‑edge AI models by providing expert feedback on correctness, robustness, clarity, and technical depth
Key Technologies
  • General AI Training
  • Model Evaluation and Evals
  • Trust and Safety
  • Red Teaming
  • Quality Analytics
  • Data/ML Concepts (e.g., supervised learning, deep learning, NLP, CV, statistics, experimentation)
Why Prolific is a great platform to join as a Participant

Joining our platform as a Prolific participant will give you the chance to influence the AI models of the future using professional machine learning expertise. Once you pass our assessment, you can join Prolific in just 15 minutes, and start enjoying competitive pay rates, flexible hours, and the ability to work from home.

We’ve built a unique platform that connects researchers and companies with a global pool of participants, enabling the collection of high‑quality, ethically sourced human behavioural data and feedback. This data is the cornerstone of developing more accurate, nuanced, and aligned AI systems.

We believe that the next leap in AI capabilities won’t come solely from scaling existing models, but from integrating diverse human perspectives and behaviours into AI development. By providing this crucial human data infrastructure, Prolific is positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave of AI innovation – one that reflects the breadth and the best of humanity.

By submitting your application, you agree that Prolific may collect your personal data for recruiting and global organization planning. Prolific’s Candidate Privacy Notice explains what personal information Prolific may process, where Prolific may process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over Prolific use of your personal data.

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