> Consider that if you could make 400k (including liquid stock) in compensation at FAANG
I'm very skeptical of the idea that this is common for new hires at FAANGs today. Certainly some people can command that level of comp, but I find it hard to believe the median employee can.
The median employee also isn't the guy who's going to make a killing by being an instrumental early employee at startup. It's apples and oranges. I'd argue that the person who is versatile and productive enough to help build a startup from zero is also in the upper tier of those FAANG employees, and commanding 400k+ per year isn't out of reach.
I personally have taken both paths, and made what I considered a ridiculous amount of money at a startup (after I'd been gone for a while, having bought my stock). When I got my cash out, I didn't quit my not-technically-FAANG-but-pretty-close job and that comp continues to grow. I never expected this, but my comp has grown to the point where the cumulative amount I've made here has actually surpassed the startup money. 7 years at each place, and the steady paycheck eventually outpaced the big windfall. The difference is I can keep the steady paycheck indefinitely, so it's definitely the win if I stick it out. Of course, now I'm itching to do a startup again. :)
I'm very skeptical of the idea that this is common for new hires at FAANGs today. Certainly some people can command that level of comp, but I find it hard to believe the median employee can.