Newly released H‑1B visa filings reveal that OpenAI is offering some of the highest base salaries in the AI sector, with research scientists earning between $245,000 and $685,000 and engineers reaching $555,000. Additional stock awards and bonuses can push total compensation for senior roles above $1 million, with top software engineers reportedly earning up to $1.28 million.
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This hiring surge continued despite CEO Sam Altman's earlier pledge to slow recruitment, adding over 60 overseas employees in late 2025. OpenAI now employs more than 4,000 staff, drawing heavily from elite institutions such as Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University.
The filings also show that the $100,000 H‑1B fee imposed by the Trump administration has not deterred the company's international hiring, highlighting the high demand and scarcity of top-tier AI talent. These figures underscore OpenAI's aggressive strategy to secure skilled professionals amid global competition.
Source: www.msn.com
