.png){kind=logo}
Meta’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence is now reflected in its salary strategy. New data from thousands of work visa filings shows the company offered some of the highest base salaries in the tech industry to attract top talent.
As per an analysis done by Business Insider, software engineers were paid a base salary of up to $450,000, whereas researchers were paid up to $400,000 per year. Additionally, product managers were among the highest-paid professionals in the organization with base salaries of close to $348,000 per year.
Salary information is derived from more than 5,800 applications submitted by Meta through H-1B visas in the year 2025. Visa applications shed light on the compensation structure employed by the firm for its various job functions and departments, which include WhatsApp platforms.
Though highly skilled roles are remunerated very well, the majority of roles have their base salaries in the range of $150,000 to $250,000. Almost half of the roles are software engineer positions. The salaries of designers and user experience research staff members exceed $200,000.
The statistics demonstrate that worldwide competition for artificial intelligence expertise has increased over the years. A vice president of AI received a base salary of $650000, which represents his highest level of earnings according to reports. The total compensation package increases by two to three times when stock grants and bonuses are included.
Some reports suggest that a handful of senior AI researchers were offered packages exceeding $100 million, signaling how critical specialized talent has become in the AI race.
Also Read: Mystery AI Gadget? Meta Hires Veteran to Lead New Hardware Division
In December 2025, Meta concluded its year-end staffing count, with 78,865 employees, even as it recorded lower recruitment activities towards the end of the year. The US immigration policy became stricter following the introduction of new compliance rules that led to increased operating costs and greater scrutiny of visa applications.
On one hand, Meta reduced manpower in specific departments while making it clear that it will allocate significant capital towards hiring AI professionals. Big Tech firms exhibit an industry evolution trend in which they cut down on costs within specific business sectors but increase investments in AI technology.
