OpenAIPPU
Machine Learning Engineer equity at OpenAI: what is your PPU grant worth?
ML Engineers at OpenAI are among the highest-compensated in tech. Here's what your PPU grant is worth at the $852B Series H valuation — and what the secondary market says.
OpenAI — current market snapshot
Last primary round
$852B
Series H · 2026-03
Secondary market
$853B
+0% vs primary · Forge · 2026-04
Annual revenue (ARR)
$24.0B
+60% YoY
Equity type
PPU
Typical equity range — Machine Learning Engineer at OpenAI
$600K–$3.0Mat grant-date value · varies by level and negotiation
Total compensation range: $500K–$900K (base + bonus + equity amortized)
Key things to know
- →ML Engineers at OpenAI command among the highest equity packages in the industry — $600K–$3M+ at grant.
- →PPU structure means no strike price and no exercise decision — you receive value at distribution events.
- →OpenAI's $24B ARR growing rapidly underpins the $852B valuation.
- →Annual tender offers have given ML engineers partial liquidity without waiting for an IPO.
Calculate your specific grant
Enter your actual shares, equity type, and strike price. PrivatePulse uses secondary market data and four independent valuation methods to give you a defensible range.
Calculate my OpenAI equity →Free · No account required · Takes 2 minutes
Liquidity outlook for OpenAI
IPO highly anticipated, likely 2026–2027 given massive scale. One of the most closely watched pre-IPO names in tech.
As a PPU holder, you don't exercise — you receive value at distribution events (tender offers or IPO/liquidity). No exercise cost, no AMT. The downside: no control over timing.
Frequently asked questions
How much equity do ML engineers at OpenAI get?↓
ML Engineers and research engineers at OpenAI are among the highest-paid roles in tech. Typical PPU grants range from $600K to $3M+ at grant-date value for senior researchers. Founding team and early research staff hold significantly larger grants that have appreciated 10-100× since issue.
How does OpenAI's research equity compare to other AI companies?↓
OpenAI offers the largest absolute equity packages due to its $852B valuation and premium talent competition. Anthropic is the closest competitor for AI research roles, typically granting RSUs at 40-50% of the size (reflecting the $380B vs $852B valuation). xAI and Mistral offer smaller packages but at earlier valuations — higher upside per dollar but more risk.
More OpenAI equity guides
Software Engineer at OpenAI
OpenAI software engineers receive PPUs (Profit Participation Units), not traditional options. Here's what your grant is worth based on secondary market data and our 4-method valuation.
Product Manager at OpenAI
PMs at OpenAI receive PPU grants in the $300K–$1.5M range. Here's how to value them using secondary market data and PrivatePulse's 4-method calculator.
Engineering Manager at OpenAI
Engineering managers at OpenAI sit at the intersection of technical and leadership compensation. Here's how your PPU grant compares to the secondary market.
Principal Engineer at OpenAI
Principal engineers at OpenAI command top-tier compensation. Here's what secondary market data says about the real value of your PPU grant.