Stay at boring Amazon job vs Join startup and increase TC

Got about 5 years of experience. Currently at amazon for 1.5 years as an L5. Contrary to the general trend, the wlb is insanely good , I have days when I only work about 4 hours.

But… the work is boring af. Doing 80% operational stuff, barely done any coding so far, let alone complex, creative work. It feels good that I have so much free time but I feel like I’m stagnating and not learning anything new.

I have an offer from a series B startup, the culture looks nice (no egos, easy going fellas) but the work will probably take me out of the comfort zone. Expecting to work 50+ hours per week, less vacation etc. The TC is about 50% higher than at amazon though.

This is not US based so that’s why my experience is probably different from average.

The way I see it, TDLR:

Join Startup
- pros: higher TC (+50%), will work on more interesting stuff
- cons: worse wlb, less job stability (I guess), would mean leaving amzn before < 2 years

Stay at Amazon
- pros: good wlb, better brand
- cons: boring work, risk of not advancing in my career outside of my current amazon team

My instinct says to join the startup, if it doesn’t work I’ll just grind more LC and what not and try at other FAANGs. I don’t have kids or strong commitments, also got enough savings to last at least one year without working. But I’m scared of losing a comfortable life that I’d later end up regretting.

TC: not relevant as it’s not US based so it’s not even half of what an L5 makes there.