[jonathankau]

Hey stephenr,

This is pretty common for some of the larger tech companies. While some Bay Area startups do pay a bit less in exchange for equity, it's still tough getting talent given all the competition.

For startups, I think the key is to really stay as lean as possible before hiring at all.

[Adamantcheese]

Salary varies highly based on location and should not be a result of your quiz to determine your engineer level.

[stephenr]

And thus, I will repeat: this is fucking insanity.

[tntn]

Why? When rent/mortgage is easily upwards $35k and taxes are upwards of another $30k, that doesn't leave the employer with a ridiculous amount of money.

[stephenr]

Taxes are reflective of income. Less pay = less tax.

Ridiculous house prices are reflective of ridiculous hiring/salary practices.

Your “solution” created its own problem.