from Hacker News

AWS Compensation Explained

by jmgtan on 1/29/21, 1:13 PM with 6 comments

  • by mywittyname on 1/29/21, 4:20 PM

    > The AWS goal is to pay you roughly 50% to 65% of what “the market” will pay you, based upon a variety of sources plus some work with Excel.

    > In Seattle or other “non-premium markets” that means $160k.

    Are there any AWS architect level people here making $320k+ in "non-premium" markets? I've never seen a job posting for a Solutions Architect - Professional offering even north of $200k, much less $300k.

    Typical seems to be between $130k-$170k. And nation-wide, the 90th percentile is $200k.

    It seems like $160k cash plus stock options is a very good salary, even with some assumed growth factored in.

  • by pewpewpew777 on 1/29/21, 5:44 PM

    The author misses a point here: taxes.

    If someone holds their stock past a year, when they sell it they are taxed at the long term capital gains rate of 15-20%

    So cash only take home @ $250k would = $165k Cash + RSU @ $250k ($160K base) would = $182.1K ($105.6 + $76.5)

    From the company perspective it is a positive as it locks in employees as their RSU's don't typically vest until after year 2 and there is always the carrot in front of employees to wait for their next vesting which happens every 6 months thereafter.

  • by uncledave on 1/29/21, 3:04 PM

    Reading this makes me want to stop being an employee and go and start my own business again.
  • by analyst74 on 1/29/21, 2:08 PM

    Very insightful! Would also love to learn how prevalent is the practice of URA quota and how to identify if you're an URA hire.