Tech salary insights and compensation strategies
Complete backend engineer salary benchmarks for 2026: base, bonus, and equity by level and location, plus premiums for specific tech stacks and industries.
Most engineers compare offers wrong—focusing on base salary while missing what actually matters. Here's the framework for calculating and comparing total compensation accurately.
Engineering contractor rates for 2026: hourly benchmarks by role, experience, and location, plus the math for comparing contractor vs. full-time costs accurately.
Engineers routinely leave $50K-$500K on the table by failing to negotiate equity effectively. Here are the frameworks, tactics, and scripts that actually work.
Engineering bonuses can be your most powerful performance tool—or a demotivating waste of money. Here's what actually works, based on analysis of 100+ tech company programs.
What do engineering recruiters actually earn in 2026? Comprehensive salary data from 2,400+ tech recruiters across 180 companies, including base pay, bonuses, and equity.
Should an engineer in Kansas make the same as one in San Francisco for the same work? Companies are split—and the answer matters for recruiting, retention, and fairness. Here's how to think through the decision.
Engineers focus on base salary while leaving equity, bonuses, and benefits underanalyzed. Here's how to model total compensation accurately—and why $180K base often beats $200K base when you look at the full picture.
Sign-on bonuses are often the most negotiable part of a tech offer. Here's when companies give them, how to negotiate effectively, and what clawback clauses to watch for.
Initial equity grants vest over 4 years, then what? Refresher grants are the key retention mechanism most companies mismanage. Here's how to design and negotiate them.
Compensation bands bring consistency, fairness, and reduced negotiation bias—but only if designed right. Here's how to build engineering compensation bands that attract talent and withstand scrutiny.
Data engineering salaries have surged as companies prioritize data infrastructure. Here's the complete 2026 compensation guide with benchmarks by level, location, and specialization.
You've got another offer, and your company is fighting to keep you. The counter-offer can be tempting—but it's more complicated than the money suggests. Here's how to think it through clearly.
Severance isn't standard—it's negotiable. Here's what engineers should expect when employment ends, how packages vary by company type and situation, and how to negotiate when the moment comes.
Equity compensation determines whether engineers build wealth or just earn wages. This guide breaks down RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, and phantom stock with real tax implications and valuation frameworks.
After analyzing 500+ engineering offer negotiations, these are the exact scripts and templates that consistently result in 15-25% compensation increases.
Most companies dramatically underestimate engineering hiring costs. Here's the real data on what you should budget—broken down by company stage, role level, and hiring method.
Comprehensive guide to remote software engineer compensation in 2025. Includes salary ranges by experience level, location-based adjustments, and negotiation strategies.