[iykwimthrowaway]

more data

  1990 - 7.50/hr software testing @ bigco1
  1992 - $24/hr software testing @ bigco1
  1994 - $40/hr developer @ bigco1
  1996 - $54k developer @ bigco1
  1997 - $58k developer @ bigco2, options-heavy comp (worth ~$400k over 9 years)
  2006 - $120k developer @ startup1, options-heavy (worthless)
  2008 - $120k developer @ startup2, options-heavy (worthless)
  2016 - $290k developer @ bigco3
  2017 - $360k developer @ bigco3
  2018 - $405k developer @ bigco3

verdict: bigco

second verdict: perusing the timelines, I am old AF

[zdgsg]

Whoa. What position for bigco3?

edit: yes, I was born after you had many years of work experience :)

[iykwimthrowaway]

Basically what would be a 65 at bigco2 (MSFT)

Note that options have turned out to be pretty mediocre on average for me. $400k over 9 years at MSFT was a significant chunk of compensation, but they weren't life-changing. It's possible that startup2 can still make me a bunch of money, because I own the stock and they're profitable, but I basically count the probability as 0. Get RSUs.