Meta’s Lead AI Researcher Draws ₹3.76 Crore Base Salary, Data Reveals

Meta is aggressively advancing its artificial intelligence (AI) development strategy, not just through innovation but also by offering highly competitive salary packages to attract and retain top-tier talent. This move reflects the company's effort to stay ahead of rivals in the increasingly competitive AI sector. Recent U.S. federal filings, especially those related to the H-1B visa program, reveal that Meta’s top AI research engineer earns a base salary of $440,000, which is approximately ₹3.76 crore at current exchange rates. These documents, submitted under U.S. labor laws, are mandatory for companies hiring foreign professionals via the H-1B system, which allows 85,000 skilled workers to enter the U.S. job market annually.

The compensation figures reported do not include additional benefits such as bonuses, equity grants, or restricted stock units (RSUs), which are commonly used by tech giants like Meta to supplement base salaries, particularly in high-stakes departments like AI. Nonetheless, the base salary alone places Meta among the top-paying employers in the tech industry.

Business Insider reviewed these filings and confirmed that Meta’s generous compensation extends across various departments. While $440,000 marks the highest base pay for AI research engineers, it does not reflect the entire compensation landscape at the company. Salaries for machine learning engineers at Meta range between $165,000 and $440,000. Senior research scientists and technical program managers earn upwards of $230,000, underscoring the value Meta places on specialized roles that are crucial to driving its AI agenda.

Meta’s filings also highlight lucrative pay packages for professionals in data science and software engineering. Software engineers can earn up to $480,000 in base salary alone, making these roles some of the most lucrative in the organization. Similarly, data science managers and directors earn between $248,000 and $320,000. Roles in product management, user experience design, and research also receive six-figure salaries, reflecting Meta’s broader commitment to attracting the best minds across all tech verticals.

However, Meta is not the only tech company offering top-dollar salaries for AI and engineering roles. The competition for AI talent is fierce across the industry. One notable example is Thinking Machines Lab, a stealth startup founded by former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati. Despite not having launched a product yet, the startup is reportedly offering base salaries as high as $500,000 to attract technical staff.

This trend underscores the soaring demand for AI expertise in the tech industry. Companies are offering these high salaries not only to compete for talent but also to ensure they can execute ambitious AI strategies effectively. As AI becomes central to enterprise offerings, from consumer applications to cloud services, having the right personnel in place is increasingly viewed as a strategic necessity.

In conclusion, Meta’s approach to salary structuring is emblematic of a broader shift in the tech industry, where AI talent is now one of the most valuable assets. With increasing investments in AI and a tight labor market, top engineers are commanding unprecedented compensation, and companies like Meta are willing to pay a premium to lead the race.