AI salaries revealed: How much top startups like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere are paying employees

As the race for supremacy in artificial intelligence heats up, tech companies are pulling out all the stops to attract top talent. The sound of disappointment echoed through the halls of academia as students who pursued degrees in English or psychology watched as AI engineers commanded impressive salaries. Leading firms like OpenAI and Anthropic are at the forefront of this hiring frenzy, offering staggering salaries and enticing perks to lure skilled professionals. According to recent reports, technical staff at OpenAI can earn up to a remarkable $530,000 annually, while research engineers at Anthropic can rake in as much as $690,000. Even software engineers at unicorn startups frequently see salaries starting at $250,000. These figures stem from filings submitted to the Department of Labor in connection with the H-1B visa program, which allows companies to hire specialized foreign workers. Such disclosures provide a rare glimpse into salary scales, as tech firms typically keep compensation details under wraps. Notably, these reported salaries do not include additional benefits like stock options or signing bonuses, which can significantly inflate total earnings. Business Insider recently analyzed data from various AI startups valued over $2 billion, excluding those in robotics and autonomous driving, to showcase the competitive pay landscape. For instance, Mistral reported that while some salaries may reach the high end, the most accurate salary range for U.S. roles is between $150,000 and $450,000. Similarly, OpenAI's careers page outlines that research engineers earn between $295,000 and $530,000, while software engineers can expect salaries from $255,000 to $590,000. As companies like Synthesia expand their operations in the U.S., the demand for AI talent is expected to grow even further, creating a competitive environment for job seekers in this booming sector.