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Home / Compensation / Citadel vs OpenAI
Citadel pays about 38% more than OpenAI for a mid-level Software Engineer: $935K vs $680K median total comp. Below is the full level-by-level breakdown for every role ladder both companies share, from public-source data.
Public-source estimates (Beta). Figures are annualized USD total compensation (base + equity + bonus).
Citadel pays about 38% more than OpenAI for a mid-level Software Engineer: $935K vs $680K median total comp. Overall ranges run $350K - $2.9M at Citadel and $290K - $2.5M at OpenAI across all levels.
| Company | Entry (p50) | Mid (p50) | Senior (p50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citadel | $425K | $935K | $1.4M |
| OpenAI | $340K | $680K | $1.4M |
| Level | Total comp (p25 - p90) |
|---|---|
| New GradSoftware Engineer (New Grad) | $350K - $660Kmedian $425K |
| MidSoftware Engineer | $490K - $1.1Mmedian $645K |
| SeniorSenior Software Engineer | $680K - $1.8Mmedian $935K |
| LeadLead / Senior Lead Engineer (Staff-equivalent) | $970K - $2.9Mmedian $1.4M |
| Level | Total comp (p25 - p90) |
|---|---|
| L3Software Engineer (Junior) | $290K - $490Kmedian $340K |
| L4Software Engineer | $400K - $770Kmedian $490K |
| L5Senior Software Engineer | $540K - $1.1Mmedian $680K |
| L6Staff Software Engineer | $760K - $1.6Mmedian $970K |
| L7Senior Staff Software Engineer | $1.1M - $2.5Mmedian $1.4M |
Citadel pays about 127% more than OpenAI for a mid-level Engineering Manager: $2.3M vs $1.0M median total comp. Overall ranges run $930K - $7.8M at Citadel and $580K - $2.5M at OpenAI across all levels.
| Company | Entry (p50) | Mid (p50) | Senior (p50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citadel | $1.3M | $2.3M | $3.4M |
| OpenAI | $720K | $1.0M | $1.4M |
| Level | Total comp (p25 - p90) |
|---|---|
| M1Engineering Manager / Team Lead | $930K - $2.7Mmedian $1.3M |
| M2Senior Engineering Manager | $1.2M - $3.7Mmedian $1.8M |
| D1Director, Engineering | $1.6M - $5.1Mmedian $2.3M |
| MDManaging Director, Engineering | $2.2M - $7.8Mmedian $3.4M |
| Level | Total comp (p25 - p90) |
|---|---|
| EMEngineering Manager | $580K - $1.2Mmedian $720K |
| Senior EMSenior Engineering Manager | $800K - $1.7Mmedian $1.0M |
| DirectorDirector, Engineering | $1.1M - $2.5Mmedian $1.4M |
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