OpenAI has set a new record for startup compensation, with average employee stock-based pay reaching approximately $1.5 million. This figure is significantly higher than historical benchmarks, with comparisons showing it's over seven times Google's pre-IPO pay and 34 times higher than other major tech firms. These substantial rewards are attributed to the intense competition for artificial intelligence talent, with rivals like Meta also offering lucrative packages. While these payouts aim to retain top researchers and engineers, they are also contributing to OpenAI's rising operating losses and shareholder dilution.