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Home / Compensation / OpenAI vs Perplexity
OpenAI pays about 31% more than Perplexity for a mid-level Software Engineer: $680K vs $520K 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).
OpenAI pays about 31% more than Perplexity for a mid-level Software Engineer: $680K vs $520K median total comp. Overall ranges run $290K - $2.5M at OpenAI and $250K - $1.1M at Perplexity across all levels.
| Company | Entry (p50) | Mid (p50) | Senior (p50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI | $340K | $680K | $1.4M |
| Perplexity | $305K | $520K | $650K |
| 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 |
| Level | Total comp (p25 - p90) |
|---|---|
| EngineerSoftware Engineer | $250K - $455Kmedian $305K |
| SeniorSenior Software Engineer | $330K - $605Kmedian $400K |
| StaffStaff Software Engineer | $425K - $815Kmedian $520K |
| PrincipalPrincipal Engineer | $525K - $1.1Mmedian $650K |
OpenAI pays about 51% more than Perplexity for a mid-level Engineering Manager: $1.0M vs $680K median total comp. Overall ranges run $580K - $2.5M at OpenAI and $370K - $1.4M at Perplexity across all levels.
| Company | Entry (p50) | Mid (p50) | Senior (p50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI | $720K | $1.0M | $1.4M |
| Perplexity | $445K | $680K | $845K |
| 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 |
| Level | Total comp (p25 - p90) |
|---|---|
| EMEngineering Manager | $370K - $670Kmedian $445K |
| Senior EMSenior Engineering Manager | $450K - $850Kmedian $550K |
| DirectorDirector, Engineering | $550K - $1.1Mmedian $680K |
| Sr DirectorSenior Director, Engineering | $675K - $1.4Mmedian $845K |
OpenAI pays about 29% more than Perplexity for a mid-level ML Engineer: $740K vs $575K median total comp. Overall ranges run $305K - $2.8M at OpenAI and $275K - $1.2M at Perplexity across all levels.
| Company | Entry (p50) | Mid (p50) | Senior (p50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI | $360K | $740K | $1.6M |
| Perplexity | $335K | $575K | $720K |
| Level | Total comp (p25 - p90) |
|---|---|
| L3ML Engineer (Junior) | $305K - $525Kmedian $360K |
| L4ML Engineer | $425K - $830Kmedian $525K |
| L5Senior ML Engineer | $580K - $1.2Mmedian $740K |
| L6Staff ML Engineer | $820K - $1.8Mmedian $1.1M |
| L7Senior Staff ML Engineer | $1.1M - $2.8Mmedian $1.6M |
| Level | Total comp (p25 - p90) |
|---|---|
| EngineerML Engineer | $275K - $505Kmedian $335K |
| SeniorSenior ML Engineer | $360K - $670Kmedian $440K |
| StaffStaff ML Engineer | $465K - $910Kmedian $575K |
| PrincipalPrincipal ML Engineer | $575K - $1.2Mmedian $720K |
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