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OpenAI vs xAI: jobs, pay and hiring compared
As of October 21, 2026, OpenAI has 747 open roles in 21 cities and xAI has 305 in 15 cities. Every role links to the employer's own careers site.
| Measure | OpenAI | xAI |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles | 747 | 305 |
| Posted in the last 7 days | 64 | 23 |
| Cities hiring | 21 | 15 |
| Top hiring city | San Francisco (503) | Southaven (129) |
| Average listed base pay | $261k | $127k |
| Highest listed base pay | $555k | $600k |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Founded | 2015 | 2023 |
| Employees | 251 to 500 | 11 to 50 |
| Total funding | $11.3B | $6.4B |
| Leader | Sam Altman | Elon Musk |
Pay figures are advertised base salaries (annual USD) on open roles that list pay.
Where OpenAI is hiring
- San Francisco503 roles
- Singapore39 roles
- Tokyo28 roles
- New York City23 roles
Where xAI is hiring
- Southaven129 roles
- Palo Alto75 roles
- Memphis44 roles
- London9 roles
Common questions
- Which is hiring more, OpenAI or xAI?
- OpenAI has more open roles: 747, compared with 305 at xAI, as of October 21, 2026.
- Which pays more, OpenAI or xAI?
- Among open roles that list pay, OpenAI advertises a higher average base salary ($261k a year) than xAI ($127k). Averages depend on the mix of roles each is hiring for, so compare similar jobs.
- Where are OpenAI and xAI hiring?
- OpenAI is hiring most in San Francisco, Singapore and Tokyo. xAI is hiring most in Southaven, Palo Alto and Memphis.