Microsoft has recently attracted negative attention, notably for laying off over 9,000 employees globally. The tech giant has confirmed its growing dependence on artificial intelligence (AI), investing billions in AI projects, especially its Copilot tool integrated with Windows, alongside substantial funding in OpenAI.

Despite rumours of discord between Microsoft and OpenAI, the company remains in the headlines, this time over employee salaries.

Increased Focus On AI

According to a report by Business Insider, based on internal Microsoft documents, employees are being urged to make greater use of AI tools. This strategy enables managers to offer retention bonuses to those contributing to AI-related projects.

It is highlighted that staff working within Microsoft’s AI divisions receive higher pay than their non-AI peers.

Salary Insights From Visa Applications

While Microsoft keeps its salary data confidential, visa application records shed light on the pay scales of foreign employees. These figures represent base salaries and exclude bonuses and stock options. Some salary ranges for various roles are as follows:

These figures are based on over 5,400 visa applications processed up to early 2025.

LinkedIn Hiring For AI-Focused Positions

Microsoft’s LinkedIn page reveals active recruitment for AI-focused positions. For example, a staff software engineer specialising in machine learning can earn up to $336,000, while senior engineers in the same area have base salaries ranging from $154,000 to $278,000.