STARTUP SALARIES, EQUITY, AND THEIR IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE RETENTION

Summary from the TLDR Founders newsletter

Startup pay shifted again this year. Salaries are up about 5%, with product and engineering around $189k, while equity grants are roughly 26% below pre-2022, and only 32% of vested in-the-money options got exercised. Early hires still get about 1.5% and employee five near 0.3%. Turnover fell 31% yet churn stays high. Retention improves when pay is competitive, refreshes hit year three to four, and bands are transparent.