Former OpenAI CTO’s Startup Offers H-1B Employees $500K Salaries

Key Takeaways

• Thinking Machines Lab offers H-1B visa employees base salaries up to $500,000 annually in 2025.
• The startup raised $2 billion seed funding, valuing it at $10 billion before product launch.
• Mira Murati, ex-OpenAI CTO, leads the company with a team of 30 top AI engineers.

A secretive new artificial intelligence startup, Thinking Machines Lab, is shaking up the tech world with its bold hiring and pay practices. Founded in February 2025 by Mira Murati, the former OpenAI CTO, this San Francisco-based company is offering H‑1B visa employees base salaries as high as $500,000 per year—an amount rarely seen, especially for a company that hasn’t even launched a product yet. This move is drawing attention not just for its size, but for what it signals about the fierce competition for AI talent and the changing landscape of immigration and tech employment in the United States 🇺🇸.

Who Is Behind Thinking Machines Lab?

Mira Murati, who played a key role in building OpenAI’s most famous products like ChatGPT and DALL-E, left her high-profile position as OpenAI CTO in September 2024. She started Thinking Machines Lab with a mission to create AI systems that are easier to understand, more customizable, and better at working with humans. Murati is known for her strong views on responsible AI development and her leadership during OpenAI’s turbulent times, including a brief stint as interim CEO.

The team at Thinking Machines Lab is small but impressive. As of mid-2025, about 30 engineers and researchers work there, many of whom also came from OpenAI. Notable names include co-founder John Schulman and researchers Jonathan Lachman and Barret Zoph. Murati holds special voting rights on the board, giving her strong control over the company’s direction.

Unprecedented Salaries for H‑1B Visa Employees

The most eye-catching detail about Thinking Machines Lab is its pay scale for H‑1B visa holders. According to filings with the U.S. Department of Labor, which are required for all companies hiring foreign workers on H‑1B visas, the company is paying:

• $450,000 per year to a co-founder and machine learning specialist
• $500,000 per year to another technical hire

These are base salaries only. They do not include equity (shares in the company), signing bonuses, or stock options. In the world of startups, equity can sometimes be worth even more than salary if the company grows quickly or goes public. So, the total compensation for these employees could end up much higher.

This level of pay is almost unheard of for a startup that hasn’t released a product or made any public announcements. It shows just how serious Thinking Machines Lab is about attracting the best talent, especially in a field as competitive as artificial intelligence.

Why Are H‑1B Visa Filings So Revealing?

Most tech companies keep salary details private, especially for high-level roles. But when a company hires someone on an H‑1B visa, U.S. law requires them to file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor. This form lists the job title, location, and salary offered. These filings are public, so anyone can look up how much a company is paying its H‑1B workers.

For more information on the H‑1B visa process and requirements, you can visit the official USCIS H‑1B visa page.

Because of this rule, the salaries at Thinking Machines Lab became public knowledge, offering a rare look into the secretive world of AI startup pay. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these filings provide unique transparency in an industry where compensation is usually hidden, especially for top-tier talent.

Massive Funding and Sky-High Valuation

Thinking Machines Lab is not just paying big salaries—it’s also raising huge amounts of money. In June 2025, the company closed a $2 billion seed funding round, led by Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s most famous venture capital firms. Other investors include Conviction Partners, founded by Sarah Guo, and even the government of Albania 🇦🇱, Murati’s home country.

This funding round valued the company at about $10 billion, making it one of the most valuable AI startups in the world—even before launching a product. The size of this seed round is almost unheard of, showing just how much confidence investors have in Murati and her team.

The AI Talent War: Why Pay So Much?

The huge salaries at Thinking Machines Lab are part of a bigger trend in the AI industry. In recent years, companies like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Anthropic, and Meta have been fighting to hire the best AI researchers and engineers. These companies know that having the smartest people can make the difference between leading the industry and falling behind.

Just last month, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claimed that Meta’s “superintelligence unit” offered signing bonuses as high as $100 million to attract top talent. While some insiders disputed this number, it shows how far companies are willing to go to win the talent war.

Thinking Machines Lab’s decision to pay H‑1B visa holders up to $500,000 a year—before any product has even launched—sends a clear message: talent is the most important asset in AI, and companies are willing to pay whatever it takes to get it.

What Is the H‑1B Visa and Why Does It Matter?

The H‑1B visa is a special work visa that allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in “specialty occupations,” which usually means jobs that require a college degree or higher. Tech companies often use the H‑1B program to hire engineers, scientists, and other skilled workers from around the world.

To sponsor an H‑1B worker, a company must:

• File a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor, stating the job title, location, and salary
• Show that they are paying at least the “prevailing wage” for that job in that area
• Submit Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (official I-129 form link)

The H‑1B program is important because it allows U.S. companies to fill jobs that might otherwise go unfilled, especially in high-demand fields like AI. It also gives talented people from around the world a chance to work in the United States 🇺🇸 and contribute to cutting-edge technology.

Implications for Immigrants and the Tech Industry

For H‑1B Visa Holders

• Higher Salaries: The pay at Thinking Machines Lab sets a new standard for what H‑1B workers can expect, especially in AI and machine learning roles.
• Equity and Bonuses: While the base salary is already high, total compensation could be much more if the company’s stock becomes valuable.
• Transparency: Because H‑1B salaries are public, other workers can see what top companies are paying and use this information in their own job searches or negotiations.

For Employers

• Rising Costs: Companies that want to compete for the best AI talent may need to raise their salary offers, especially for H‑1B hires.
• Talent Shortages: As more companies chase the same small pool of experts, it may become even harder to fill key roles.
• Pressure to Innovate: With so much money and talent at stake, companies will need to move quickly and deliver results to justify their investments.

For the AI Industry

• Escalating Competition: The “arms race” for talent is likely to continue, with salaries and signing bonuses climbing even higher.
• Focus on Immigration: As the U.S. tightens or loosens immigration rules, the ability to hire foreign workers will remain a key issue for tech companies.
• Changing Power Dynamics: Startups like Thinking Machines Lab, led by well-known figures such as the former OpenAI CTO, can now compete with giants like Google and Meta for the best people.

The Role of Equity and Stock Options

While the base salaries at Thinking Machines Lab are already impressive, they may only be part of the story. In many startups, employees receive equity—shares in the company—that can become extremely valuable if the company grows or goes public. For a company valued at $10 billion, even a small amount of equity could be worth millions.

This means that employees, including H‑1B visa holders, have a strong incentive to help the company succeed. Their financial future is tied to the company’s growth, which can create a powerful sense of teamwork and shared purpose.

Mira Murati’s Vision and Leadership

Mira Murati is not just a well-known name in AI—she’s also respected for her thoughtful approach to technology and ethics. At OpenAI, she helped develop products that changed the way people interact with AI, like ChatGPT and DALL-E. She also spoke out about the need for careful, responsible development of AI, calling for more regulation and oversight.

Murati’s decision to leave OpenAI and start her own company was driven by a desire to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of what AI can do. At Thinking Machines Lab, she is focused on building AI systems that work well with people, are easy to understand, and can be customized for different needs.

Her leadership, combined with a team of top researchers and engineers, gives Thinking Machines Lab a strong chance to become a major player in the next wave of AI innovation.

What’s Next for Thinking Machines Lab?

As of July 2025, Thinking Machines Lab is still in “stealth mode,” meaning it hasn’t announced any products or shared many details about its work. However, with $2 billion in funding, a $10 billion valuation, and a team of top talent, the tech world is watching closely.

The company’s focus on human-AI collaboration and customizable systems suggests it wants to stand out from competitors by making AI more useful and easier to work with. Given the size of its funding and the experience of its team, many expect big announcements or product launches in the near future.

The Broader Impact: What Does This Mean for Immigration and Tech?

The story of Thinking Machines Lab highlights several important trends:

• Immigration Remains Key: The ability to hire skilled workers from around the world is still vital for U.S. tech companies. The H‑1B visa program, despite its challenges, remains a crucial tool for bringing in top talent.
• Transparency Is Growing: Public salary filings for H‑1B workers give everyone—from job seekers to policymakers—a clearer picture of what’s happening in the tech industry.
• Competition Is Fierce: As companies fight for the best minds, salaries and benefits will likely keep rising, making it even more important for companies to offer attractive packages.
• Startups Can Compete: With enough funding and the right leadership, even new companies can attract top talent away from established giants.

Key Takeaways and Practical Guidance

For immigrants and job seekers interested in AI and tech:

• Research Salary Data: Use public H‑1B filings to see what top companies are paying for roles similar to yours.
• Consider Total Compensation: Look beyond base salary to include equity, bonuses, and other benefits when evaluating job offers.
• Stay Informed: Follow news about visa programs and tech hiring trends to make the best decisions for your career.

For employers and recruiters:

• Be Competitive: Review your pay and benefits to ensure you can attract and keep the best talent, especially if you rely on H‑1B workers.
• Understand the Rules: Make sure you follow all legal requirements for H‑1B sponsorship, including accurate and timely filings.
• Watch the Market: Keep an eye on what other companies are offering, especially in fast-moving fields like AI.

Summary Table: Thinking Machines Lab at a Glance

Where to Learn More

For official information on H‑1B visas, including how to apply and what employers must do, visit the USCIS H‑1B visa page. This site provides up-to-date forms, instructions, and answers to common questions.

As Thinking Machines Lab continues to grow under the leadership of the former OpenAI CTO, its aggressive hiring and pay practices are likely to influence the entire tech industry. Whether you’re an immigrant worker, a tech employer, or simply interested in the future of AI, this story shows just how much is at stake in the race for the world’s best minds.

Learn Today

H-1B Visa → A U.S. work visa allowing employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring degrees.
Labor Condition Application → A mandatory government form disclosing job title, location, and salary for H-1B hires.
Seed Funding → Initial capital raised by a startup to develop its product and grow operations.
Equity → Ownership shares in a company, often given to employees as part of compensation.
Stealth Mode → When a startup works secretly without public product releases or announcements.

This Article in a Nutshell

Thinking Machines Lab, led by ex-OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, breaks industry norms with $500,000 salaries for H-1B workers. With $2 billion funding and a $10 billion valuation, this stealth-mode AI startup reshapes the talent war and immigration’s role in tech innovation’s future in the US.
— By VisaVerge.com