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by Zaheer 2377 days ago
We have verified offer letters for several of these companies that users have submitted to us.
1 comments

It would probably be an interesting article to delve into what accounts for the difference between the Bay Area's $227,000 median (which sounds about right) and the $400K-$500K that 5 years of experience gets at the top of your list. The difference is striking, essentially paying double the median amount for moderately experienced employees.
That's easy: most people aren't senior/staff engineers.
Considering that the overall category is "software engineering compensation", many people will be senior/staff engineers, unless people are constantly washing out in less than 5 years time.
Staff usually makes up less than 10% of people, and senior is above the median at most places.

Levels.Fyi further biases towards new grads. A more representative sample would likely move the median higher. And most people are at the low end of senior after five years, if that.

Let me reiterate that: the median silicon valley swe has under 5YOE.

I would just add that some people never make it to staff level. 5 years is a _minimum_ but majority of folks take longer to get there.