OpenAI
Work Here? Claim Your CompanyOpenAI Backend Software Engineer Salaries
Backend Software Engineer compensation in United States at OpenAI ranges from $243K per year for L2 to $868K per year for L5. The median yearly compensation in United States package totals $545K. View the base salary, equity, and bonus breakdowns for OpenAI's total compensation packages. Last updated: 12/13/2025
Average Level
Level Name | Total | Base | Stock () | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
L2(Entry Level) | $243K | $167K | $75K | $833 |
L3 | $ -- | $ -- | $ -- | $ -- |
L4 | $593K | $253K | $340K | $0 |
L5 | $868K | $318K | $550K | $0 |
(6/24/2023) Check out our latest blog post on how OpenAI's PPU structure works.
Latest Salary Submissions
Company Location | Date | Level Name Tag | Years of Experience Total / At Company | Total Compensation Base | Stock (yr) | Bonus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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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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