OpenAI is paying workers $1.5 million in stock-based compensation on average, the highest of any tech startup in history

Fortune

by Preston Fore

February 18, 2026

The AI talent war is pushing ChatGPT creator OpenAI to give out millions in equity compensation to its 4,000 employees. Meanwhile, its boss, Sam Altman, has zero equity and just a $76K salary.

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/18/2026