Meta's 2025 AI Talent Drive: Compensation Insights and Visa Trends
Meta engaged in significant hiring for AI talent in 2025. An analysis of over 5,800 federal H-1B and other work visa applications filed by Meta in 2025 offers data on the company's compensation for various roles.
An analysis of over 5,800 federal H-1B and other work visa applications filed by Meta in 2025 offers data on the company's compensation for various roles.
Deep Dive into Compensation
Base salaries for specific positions included:
- Software Engineer: $450,000 annually
- Research Engineer: $400,000 annually
- Product Manager: $348,000 annually
- Vice President of AI: $650,000 annually
Most new Meta hires earned base salaries between $150,000 and $250,000. The company offered higher compensation for specialized AI talent and senior technical roles. Approximately half of the positions hired through the H-1B visa program during this period were for software engineering roles. Product designers and UX researchers frequently received over $200,000 in base salary.
These figures represent annual base salaries and do not include additional components such as stock options, signing bonuses, and other benefits, which can significantly increase the total compensation package.
For some high-level researchers, total packages were reportedly offered in excess of $100 million.
H-1B Program Shifts and Company Context
In the final quarter of 2025, H-1B visa filings by Meta were reduced by approximately half compared to the same period in the prior year. This decline occurred after the Trump administration implemented changes to the work visa program in September 2025, which resulted in increased costs and stricter scrutiny for applicants.
In the final quarter of 2025, H-1B visa filings by Meta were reduced by approximately half compared to the same period in the prior year.
During this time, Meta also conducted layoffs in its Reality Labs and other units. Meta reported 78,865 employees at the end of 2025.