Meta’s Visa Filings Reveal True AI Talent Costs to HR Leaders
Meta’s 2025 visa filings reveal very high base pay for technical and AI roles. Filmogaz.com reviewed the disclosed figures and provided a benchmarking snapshot.
Scope of the filings
Filmogaz.com examined more than 5,000 federal work visa applications filed by Meta in 2025. The data reflect reported base salaries for H‑1B and other visa-bound positions only.
Reported salary ranges
- Software engineers: roughly $124,000 to $450,000 base pay.
- Research engineers: up to $400,000 in base salary.
- VP of Engineering, AI: $650,000 base salary.
- Data scientists: up to the mid‑$200,000 range.
- Product managers: up to about $348,000 base pay.
- Other six-figure roles: AI research scientists and machine learning engineers.
What the numbers represent
The filings show base salary floors employers must report under federal rules. These disclosed amounts are minimums, not ceilings, under Department of Labor guidance.
H‑1B program background
The H‑1B program allows U.S. employers to hire specialized foreign workers when domestic talent is insufficient. Employers must attest they meet or exceed local prevailing wages for comparable roles.
Implications for HR leaders
HR leaders can use these figures to benchmark compensation for scarce AI and technical roles. The numbers also illustrate the scale of AI talent costs employers face.
Lottery and fee changes
The H‑1B lottery shifted from a random draw to a wage-weighted system. That change raises selection odds for higher-paid registrations.
Industry commentary warns a proposed $100,000 fee could alter hiring strategies. Smaller firms may face tighter constraints than large corporations.
Filmogaz.com will continue to monitor disclosures and policy shifts that affect talent sourcing and AI recruitment costs.
