Does that mean if your base is $160K at the time of joining you will not get raise ever?
Correct. Stock only
If you have a base that high it is very likely your total comp is mid-200s at least, so stock gets to be 2/5-1/2 or more of your comp, at least. The higher up you go the more comp is stock. Amazon limits base for all sorts of reasons like unemployment, severance, 401k match, etc being based on base rate. They would also say it’s so higher compensated employees have more at stake based on the company’s performance. Base raises tend to be paltry anyway and larger stock grants are how you actually get paid more.
Crazy right? But tons of people fall for it.
It’s an interesting concept especially paired with the back end heavy RSU vestment schedule. I’d imagine more than 25% people burn out or are pivoted out before years 3 and 4 where 80% of RSUs vest so they probably save a ton of money by doing so.
Except you get a guaranteed cash bonus that normalizes your income during the first two years. Therefore you are making what you would expect at year 3 & 4 with nominal stock gains. Case in point, on top of my 160 salary, Year 1 bonus: 170k. Year 2: 130k.
The number is closer to 50% who don’t make it to two years, but Amazon is spending cash as jefe_bezos mentioned, and since any larger amounts like they quoted are paid monthly and earned daily, people aren’t paying them back.
hahaha amazon ❤️
Does this base limit apply to all levels ?
Yes, in standard markets. I have seen a few SVPs that had 175-185k in standard markets but it is exceedingly rare. Most have the $160k base limit like everyone else. In premium markets it is $185k.
It's region based, bas e caps at 185 at NYC bay area
So what is the typical total compensation for AWS Solutions Architect. Recruiter told me average $200K in Seattle.
Look at Glassdoor. Most Blind users are SWEs/SDEs
Glassdoor is outdated, go to levels.fyi
Levels doesn’t account for solutions architect pay band which is what op needs help with
You should be used to it from no raise Cisco.