Salary FYI

Compensation Package

Employment

The complete set of pay and benefits an employer offers to an employee, encompassing base salary, variable pay, equity, insurance, retirement contributions, and perks.

## Compensation Package

A compensation package is the total offer beyond just the salary number. Understanding and comparing full packages is essential for making informed career decisions.

### Components

| Component | Cash? | Typical % of Total |
|-----------|-------|-------------------|
| Base salary | Yes | 50–80% |
| Annual bonus | Yes | 5–30% |
| Equity/RSUs | Delayed | 10–40% (tech) |
| Signing bonus | Yes (one-time) | 5–15% of first-year TC |
| Health insurance | No (employer pays) | $6K–$17K value |
| 401(k) match | Deferred | 3–6% of salary |
| PTO | Non-cash | Varies |

### Comparing Packages

When comparing offers, create a total annual value:
```
Total Value = Base + Bonus + Annual Equity Vest + Employer 401k + Insurance Value
```

### Negotiable Components

If base salary is at the top of the band, negotiate other components: signing bonus, equity, start date, title, work arrangement, PTO, or an early performance review.