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Ask HN: FAANG level salaries but not FAANG?

6 points by chana_masala ↗ HN
I have been interviewing lately looking for a new position. I have mostly worked for start ups throughout my career, but I wonder if I have maxed out on base compensation for what most startups can offer. Currently I am receiving 180k base salary and 10% annual bonus. I've been through a number of interview cycles, passed technical interviews and gotten to the offer stage only to find they can't even meet my current compensation or we don't even get through the interview cycle because they up front state they can't offer that level of salary.

I've been hesitant to apply to any of the letters in FAANG due to ethical considerations (perhaps silly, I know), but I'm wondering if I should just accept that's the route I need to follow to meet my compensation needs or what companies there are out there that can pay FAANG level salaries but are more savory in character. I've considered looking into working for companies like Atlassian (no idea if they pay FAANG level, just assuming), Amex, Citadel etc.

9 comments

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andymoe
The bigger companies career ladders go much higher for engineering and the public companies pay more in stock comp at those higher levels. You want to get to Staff+ at a large tech company - does not need to be FAANG. I’d prioritize more tech centric industries than the ones you’ve named though.
chana_masala
Thanks for your reply and advice. Do you have any example companies of what you mean?
andymoe
I’d browse around levels.fyi
sjtindell
If you’re wasting time like that, try being much more up front with the recruiters about salary. Name numbers. In my opinion it’s a trap to think that not doing so would allow it to be higher. And you named Citadel, yes, at hedge funds the comp is a primary reason to work there. The recruiters I worked with in that sector were totally comfortable with me saying the #1 reason I was interested was comp. But they will want you to relocate.
noselfpromote
What are the ethical considerations you have with faang which does not apply to startup (which often aim to become faang) ?
kyawzazaw
A little bit strange here is you don't have ethical considerations for a place like Citadel but does for all 5 companies of FAANG? I think Netflix should be least controversial in my opinion.
chana_masala
My list of positive considerations isn't well researched - so I would amend it to not include Citadel, as I agree after taking a look further.
xupybd
Wow these 180k sounds huge to me. Are US developer salaries normally this high?