[tannk11001]

If you've hit a salary cap at startups, and care that much about salary, it's time to leave startups.

Generally, startups leverage enthusiasm and equity opportunity in order to pay less for their talent. Meanwhile, big boring multinationals pay ridiculous salaries in order to fulfill all the dull but critical needs of themselves and their clients. And there's a whole continuum in between.

If you do like startups and want to stay around, start negotiating for the perks that won't hurt their burn rate so much: equity, time off, R&D opportunities, etc.