Alexander Lewis
Dec 24, 2023
Engineers at OpenAI stand among the highest earners in the industry, according to a recent investigation by Bloomberg. The analysis suggests that a skilled recruit at ChatGPT could potentially rake in approximately $800,000 annually, factoring in salaries, bonuses, and stock awards. This eye-catching figure notably places OpenAI at the forefront of generous compensation within the AI realm, offering nearly double the remuneration compared to counterparts like Nvidia.
In the landscape of 2023, Artificial Intelligence (AI) transcends being merely an industry buzzword. This year seems poised to go down in history as one where the very foundations of generative AI were solidified. Companies deeply entrenched in AI innovations have proven lucrative for investors, with this prosperity evidently extending to their workforce — particularly those with specialised AI skills, whose pay rates have soared.
Bloomberg's report, drawing data from Levels.fyi, indicates that AI engineers command salaries up to 12.5% higher than their non-AI peers. Perusing the engineering job listings at OpenAI reveals a wide salary range from $200,000 to $450,000. However, when factoring in bonuses and stock awards, fortunate employees could anticipate an annual package reaching close to $800,000.
The rationale behind these substantial salaries and additional incentives seems to lie in the classic principle of supply and demand. Securing and retaining experienced and suitably skilled individuals in this field has proven exceptionally challenging. According to the report, expertise is a crucial differentiator as there exists a significant disparity between comprehending AI models theoretically and possessing the practical skills and know-how to apply them effectively.
