As layoffs continue to ripple across the U.S. technology sector, Nvidia is moving in the opposite direction, expanding its hiring of highly skilled workers and offering some of the industry’s most lucrative pay packages. Competition for artificial intelligence talent intensifies.
The AI chipmaker, led by Jensen Huang, secured certification for roughly 1,200 H-1B visa positions during the first two quarters of fiscal 2026, according to federal labour filings reviewed by Business Insider. That represents an increase from approximately 1,000 certifications during the same period a year earlier.
The hiring push stands in sharp contrast to broader trends across the technology industry. Several major companies, including Meta, Google and Amazon, have slowed foreign hiring or announced workforce reductions as they redirect spending toward AI infrastructure and automation. Google’s approved H-1B hires reportedly fell to about 2,200 from 5,100 a year earlier, while Amazon’s approvals declined to roughly 4,300 from 6,100.
For Indian professionals, who account for roughly 71% to 73% of approved H-1B visa beneficiaries in the United States, Nvidia’s hiring expansion comes at a critical time. Thousands of foreign workers have faced growing uncertainty amid layoffs, with visa holders generally given only 60 days to secure a new sponsor after losing employment.
READ: Nvidia unveils new AI ‘superchip’ for personal computers at Computex 2026 (June 2, 2026).
Nvidia’s compensation packages highlight the fierce battle for AI expertise. Federal filings show software engineers can earn base salaries of up to $391,000 annually, while research scientists can receive as much as $356,500. Product managers can make up to $379,500, and hardware engineering managers up to $368,000. Director-level positions command even higher compensation, with architecture directors earning up to $488,750 in base salary alone. Stock awards and bonuses can significantly increase total compensation beyond those figures.
Among the highest-paying technical positions are distinguished AI algorithms engineers, who can earn up to $471,500, and principal systems software engineers, whose compensation can reach $431,250 annually. The company continues to recruit across AI research, chip design, software engineering, cloud infrastructure and customer-facing technical roles.
READ: Nvidia-powered Windows PCs set for debut (May 31, 2026)
The aggressive hiring strategy reflects Nvidia’s dominant position at the center of the AI boom. Its processors power many of the world’s leading generative AI systems and large-scale data centers, helping drive record demand for specialized engineering talent.
While layoffs and AI-driven restructuring continue to reshape Silicon Valley, Nvidia’s hiring spree underscores a growing divide within the technology industry: companies are reducing headcount in some areas while paying premium salaries for workers with expertise in artificial intelligence and advanced computing.