OpenAI is known for offering some of the most competitive salaries in the tech industry, especially for technical and research roles.
Compensation at OpenAI typically includes a base salary, stock options, and performance bonuses. This results in high total compensation packages for many positions.
Salary Ranges Across Roles and Experience Levels
Median and Percentile-Based Compensation
- Median total compensation at OpenAI is approximately $1,370,000 per year.
- Employees in the 25th percentile earn around $925,000.
- Those in the 90th percentile can make up to $2,792,200 annually.
Software Engineering Salaries
OpenAI’s software engineering roles are tiered by level, with compensation increasing significantly at higher levels.
The median yearly compensation for software engineers is about $860,000.
Other Popular Roles and Their Pay
Policy Managers at OpenAI earn about $155,917 per year.
Research Managers make around $471,915 per year.
Stakeholder Insights Associates receive $190,000 annually.
Full Stack Developers are paid $273,112 per year.
Front End Software Engineers (Marketing) can earn between $255,000 and $405,000 per year.
Security Engineers specializing in Threat Intelligence have a salary range of $260,000 to $405,000 per year.
Frontline IT Support Specialists are paid $52.89 per hour.
Hourly Pay and Entry-Level Positions
For roles paid hourly, the average hourly wage at OpenAI is $28.95.
Most positions range from $14.90 (25th percentile) to $42.79 (75th percentile).
However, these figures often reflect non-technical or support roles. Technical and research positions are typically salaried.
Factors Influencing OpenAI Salaries
Several factors contribute to the wide salary range at OpenAI.
The role and department play a significant part, with technical and research roles commanding the highest compensation. Administrative or support roles are paid less.
Experience level is also crucial. Seniority and years of experience significantly impact total compensation, especially for engineering and research positions.
Location matters as well. While many roles are remote, those based in high-cost areas like San Francisco may receive higher pay adjustments.
Additionally, stock and bonus structure is important. Equity grants and performance bonuses can make up a substantial portion of total compensation, particularly at higher levels.
Comparing OpenAI to Other AI Startups
OpenAI’s compensation is among the highest in the AI sector.
For example, technical staff can earn up to $530,000 a year according to federal filings, which is competitive with other leading AI startups.
However, OpenAI’s top percentile earners and senior engineers can surpass this figure, especially when stock and bonuses are included.
.png)
Navigating Your Career at OpenAI
OpenAI’s salary structure reflects its position as a leader in artificial intelligence research and development.
The company’s generous compensation packages are designed to attract and retain top talent in a highly competitive field.
Candidates considering a role at OpenAI should evaluate not only the base salary but also the value of stock options and potential bonuses. These can significantly increase total earnings.
