Desk·2026-09-28
Citadel cash year versus OpenAI paper
Same software-engineer title. Citadel prints the Chicago multi-strat cash year. OpenAI prints the lab mark. Name the mix before the number.
OpenAI typical $653,000 against $425,000 at Citadel.
SWE typical
OpenAI typical sits ~1.54× Citadel
Same title. Chicago multi-strat clears $425k typical. Frontier lab clears $653k. Thin sample on the shop side.
How to plan it
Sit the multi-strat cash year before you mark the lab
A software engineer planning 2027 should treat Citadel and OpenAI as two books, not one high band. Citadel prints $425k typical on the ledger with a $200k base you keep. OpenAI prints $653k typical with a $270k base and the rest in lab paper. The multi-strat compounds the year in cash on a Chicago desk — bonus is the band. The lab compounds a mark that only clears if the unit stays liquid. If you need rent and a 2027 cash year and can sit the Chicago loop, take Citadel first. If you can hold paper and want the 1.54× typical, sit OpenAI — but name the mix. Do not treat a $425k cash year and a $653k lab year as the same next seat. The title is shared; the books are not.
Also: Citadel vs OpenAI · Who pays cash