OpenAI
Large (~3,500)
Microsoft Corporation
Large (~220,000)
✨ AI-generated
Best For
OpenAI
Best for: Engineers who want to build frontier AI models at the company defining the industry, with elite compensation
Microsoft Corporation
Best for: Engineers and technologists seeking a stable, innovative tech giant with strong learning opportunities and competitive compensation.
Ratings
OpenAIMicrosoft Corporation
4.5
4.1
Overall
3.6
3.6
Work-Life Balance
4.6
4.0
Culture & Values
4.5
4.2
Comp & Benefits
4.3
3.8
Senior Mgmt
4.3
4.1
Career Opps
👍 90% Recommend
👤 95% CEO Approval (Sam Altman)
👍 78% Recommend
👤 82% CEO Approval (Satya Nadella)
Culture Values
OpenAI only
🚀 Ship Fast & Iterate💎 Strong Comp & Equity
Microsoft Corporation only
🌈 Diverse & Inclusive🤖 Ethical AI / Safety💜 Mission-Driven
Shared
⚙️ Engineering-Driven🌱 Learning & Growth🎯 Direct Product Impact
Pros & Cons
OpenAI
- Cutting-edge frontier AI research with world-class colleagues
- Elite compensation — top-tier TC and equity packages
- High-intensity environment — long hours and intense pace are the norm
- Internal politics and rapid org changes as the company scales
Microsoft Corporation
- Exceptional compensation and benefits package including generous stock equity
- Strong focus on professional development and upskilling through internal training programs
- Large bureaucratic structure can slow decision-making and innovation velocity
- Internal competition between divisions can create siloed teams and politics
Bottom Line
OpenAI
High-intensity, mission-driven culture with world-class colleagues and top-tier comp — but expect long hours, rapid org changes, and internal politics as the company scales.
Microsoft Corporation
Choose Microsoft if you want growth, strong benefits, and work on impactful products — but expect bureaucracy and competitive internal dynamics.
Open Roles
OpenAI — 638 jobs
💻 Engineering
299
💼 Sales / GTM
56
🧠 ML / AI
31
📋 Product
31
📊 Data
28
📣 Marketing
24
⚙️ Operations
17
👤 HR / People
14
🎨 Design
10
⚖️ Legal
10
🎧 Support
5
💰 Finance
3
Microsoft Corporation
No open roles currently listed
Summary
OpenAI scores 4.5/5.0 on Glassdoor with a 3.6 work-life balance rating. Microsoft Corporation scores 4.1/5.0 overall with a 3.6 WLB. That’s a 0.4-point gap on overall satisfaction.
Both companies share these culture values: Engineering-Driven, Learning & Growth, Direct Product Impact. OpenAI also emphasizes Ship Fast & Iterate, Strong Comp & Equity. Microsoft Corporation also emphasizes Diverse & Inclusive, Ethical AI / Safety, Mission-Driven.
On the hiring front, OpenAI has 638 open roles and Microsoft Corporation has 0 open roles.