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Home / Compensation / OpenAI vs Tesla
OpenAI pays about 139% more than Tesla for a mid-level Software Engineer: $680K vs $285K 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 139% more than Tesla for a mid-level Software Engineer: $680K vs $285K median total comp. Overall ranges run $290K - $2.5M at OpenAI and $150K - $750K at Tesla across all levels.
| Company | Entry (p50) | Mid (p50) | Senior (p50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI | $340K | $680K | $1.4M |
| Tesla | $170K | $285K | $460K |
| 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) |
|---|---|
| P1Software Engineer I (New Grad) | $150K - $228Kmedian $170K |
| P2Software Engineer II | $185K - $305Kmedian $218K |
| P3Senior Software Engineer | $235K - $420Kmedian $285K |
| P4Staff Software Engineer | $295K - $555Kmedian $360K |
| P5Senior Staff Software Engineer | $370K - $750Kmedian $460K |
OpenAI pays about 65% more than Tesla for a mid-level Engineering Manager: $1.0M vs $625K median total comp. Overall ranges run $580K - $2.5M at OpenAI and $290K - $1.4M at Tesla across all levels.
| Company | Entry (p50) | Mid (p50) | Senior (p50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI | $720K | $1.0M | $1.4M |
| Tesla | $355K | $625K | $805K |
| 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) |
|---|---|
| M1Engineering Manager | $290K - $550Kmedian $355K |
| M2Senior Engineering Manager | $370K - $750Kmedian $465K |
| D1Director, Engineering | $490K - $1.0Mmedian $625K |
| D2Senior Director, Engineering | $625K - $1.4Mmedian $805K |
OpenAI pays about 78% more than Tesla for a mid-level ML Engineer: $740K vs $415K median total comp. Overall ranges run $305K - $2.8M at OpenAI and $205K - $915K at Tesla across all levels.
| Company | Entry (p50) | Mid (p50) | Senior (p50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI | $360K | $740K | $1.6M |
| Tesla | $245K | $415K | $550K |
| 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) |
|---|---|
| P2ML Engineer II | $205K - $355Kmedian $245K |
| P3Senior ML Engineer | $260K - $480Kmedian $320K |
| P4Staff ML Engineer | $335K - $660Kmedian $415K |
| P5Senior Staff ML Engineer | $435K - $915Kmedian $550K |
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