If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to land a job at Meta, the answer increasingly lies in artificial intelligence. As the company doubles down on AI, fresh salary data reveals just how far it is willing to go to secure top-tier talent.
An analysis of more than 5,800 H-1B and other visa filings from 2025, reviewed by Business Insider, offers a rare window into compensation across Meta’s ecosystem, including platforms like WhatsApp. The takeaway is clear: AI and machine learning roles are commanding some of the highest salaries in tech today.
How much do Meta AI engineers make?
Machine learning engineers at Meta can earn up to around $250,000 (Rs 2.1 crore), with even higher pay in specialized roles. Software engineers working in machine learning and related domains typically earn between $144,000 (Rs 1.2 crore) and nearly $300,000 (Rs 2.5 crore), with senior roles crossing $250,000 (Rs 2.1 crore).
Core engineering roles offer some of the widest salary ranges. Software engineers can earn between $124,000 (Rs 1 crore) and $450,000 (Rs 3.7 crore), especially in senior or infrastructure-focused positions. Data engineers and data scientists also earn well, with salaries approaching $300,000 (Rs 2.5 crore) at higher levels.
But, AI researchers have the real deal.
Research roles sit at the very top of Meta’s pay structure. AI research scientists earn between $163,800 (Rs 1.3 crore) and $328,000 (Rs 2.7 crore), reflecting the premium placed on advanced expertise.
Research engineers can earn between $124,000 (Rs 1 crore) and $400,000 (Rs 3.3 crore), making them among the highest-paid individual contributors. Applied scientists and research scientists typically earn between $135,000 (Rs 1.1 crore) and $300,000 (Rs 2.5 crore), while leadership roles in research exceed $250,000 (Rs 2.1 crore).
Even user experience research roles can cross $290,000 (Rs 2.4 crore) at senior levels, highlighting the growing importance of research in shaping AI-driven products.
Non-technical roles
High pay is not limited to engineers and researchers. Product managers can earn up to $348,000 (Rs 2.9 crore), while design leadership roles approach $340,000 (Rs 2.8 crore). Business API product marketing managers can earn around $269,719 (Rs 2.2 crore).
At the top, leadership roles command the highest compensation. Directors typically earn between $300,000 (Rs 2.5 crore) and $350,000 (Rs 2.9 crore), while vice presidents, particularly in AI, can earn up to $650,000 (Rs 5.4 crore).
The figures highlight how aggressively Meta is investing in AI talent as it competes to lead the next phase of technological innovation.
