OpenAI’s United Kingdom-based employees received average compensation packages totaling approximately £2.3 million each in 2025, according to recently filed company accounts. The figures reflect a combination of base salaries and share awards distributed among around 110 staff members at OpenAI UK Ltd, the company’s Westminster-based subsidiary, which is also establishing a new headquarters in London’s King’s Cross area.
The total payroll and equity disbursement in the UK for 2025 amounted to roughly £258 million. Of this sum, around £87 million was paid in salaries, averaging about £794,000 per employee, while the remainder comprised share awards. The average package represents a significant increase from the previous year, when combined compensation averaged about £1.1 million per worker.
OpenAI UK Ltd reported a substantial rise in revenue, with turnover more than tripling to £293 million in 2025, generating a profit of £20.3 million. The London branch functions as the company’s largest international research hub and also houses teams focused on government affairs, sales, and marketing, responsible for licensing OpenAI’s products to various organizations. Notably, former British Chancellor George Osborne joined the company in December as head of countries, a role linked to international expansion efforts.
The high pay levels, some observers note, reflect intense competition for artificial intelligence talent, with major technology firms vying to secure leading researchers and engineers. London’s status as a hub for AI talent has been bolstered by proximity to prominent academic institutions and other AI-focused companies, including Google DeepMind, which is also based in King’s Cross. Compensation packages tend to vary widely within the company, with the highest salaries awarded to AI researchers engaged in developing advanced models such as Astra.
The surge in AI salaries in the UK parallels similar trends in the United States, where the concentration of AI companies in areas like San Francisco has contributed to significant increases in housing costs. For instance, average rents for one-bedroom properties near major AI company offices have risen sharply, impacting local real estate markets.
OpenAI declined to comment on the reported compensation and financial details. The company’s growth and investment in talent come amid ongoing scrutiny over AI safety, following several incidents involving its models this year. Some industry voices have criticized the sector, citing concerns about rapid development and insufficient caution in deploying AI technologies.