OpenAI
Work Here? Claim Your CompanyOpenAI Software Engineer Salaries
Software Engineer compensation in United States at OpenAI ranges from $242K per year for L2 to $1.34M per year for L6. The median yearly compensation in United States package totals $875K. View the base salary, stock, and bonus breakdowns for OpenAI's total compensation packages. Last updated: 7/8/2025
Average Compensation By Compensation By Level
Level Name | Total | Base | Stock | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
L2(Entry Level) | $242K | $163K | $78.1K | $938 |
L3 | $394K | $217K | $177K | $0 |
L4 | $519K | $253K | $265K | $0 |
L5 | $1.1M | $343K | $756K | $353 |
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(6/24/2023) Check out our latest blog post on how OpenAI's PPU structure works.
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|---|---|---|---|
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Vesting Schedule
25%
YR 1
25%
YR 2
25%
YR 3
25%
YR 4
Stock Type
PPU
At OpenAI, PPUs are subject to a 4-year vesting schedule:
25% vests in the 1st-YR (25.00% annually)
25% vests in the 2nd-YR (25.00% annually)
25% vests in the 3rd-YR (25.00% annually)
25% vests in the 4th-YR (25.00% annually)
PPU stands for Profit Participation Units. The foundation for PPUs are PIUs, which are a form of equity compensation, with heavily customizable terms, that are popular among startups backed by private equity investors.
25%
YR 1
25%
YR 2
25%
YR 3
25%
YR 4
Stock Type
PPU
At OpenAI, PPUs are subject to a 4-year vesting schedule:
25% vests in the 1st-YR (25.00% annually)
25% vests in the 2nd-YR (2.08% monthly)
25% vests in the 3rd-YR (2.08% monthly)
25% vests in the 4th-YR (2.08% monthly)
PPU stands for Profit Participation Units. The foundation for PPUs are PIUs, which are a form of equity compensation, with heavily customizable terms, that are popular among startups backed by private equity investors.
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