February 2026 data
Optimization startup salary data
As of February 2026, the median Optimization salary at startups is $145k across 2 verified Hacker News “Who is Hiring” listings.
Based on 2 verified Optimization listings from Hacker News “Who is Hiring”. Sample size is shown so you know how much weight to give the number.
Market Signal (August 2026)
Top Hirers: Strum AI leads hiring for Optimization roles with 1 active posts, followed by Pepr AI.
🌍 Location & Remote Dynamics
SF Centric: Optimization roles are concentrated in the SF Bay Area (50% of listings), often paying a location premium.
💡 Tech Stack Context
Common Stack: 50% of Optimization jobs also require Llms, and 50% mention Deep Learning.
💰 Compensation Analysis
The median base salary for Optimization developers is $145,000, with top-tier roles (P75) reaching $150,000.
Optimization jobs
| COMPANY | ROLE | SALARY | VIBE | STACK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strum AI | Founding Engineer | USD 150,000 - USD 150,000 |
[F] CRUNCH
|
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| Pepr AI | Member of Technical Staff (Full Stack / Machine Learning & Optimization / Product (ML)) | USD 140,000 - USD 270,000 |
[F] grind
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