SaaS 2028 Employee Comp + Equity
2028 SaaS comp: base + 4-6% 401k match + RSU 25% cliff vest + 75% quarterly over 3 yrs + 10-20% bonus + benefits = total often 1.5-2x base.
| Base salary | — |
| 401k match | — |
| RSU annualized (4yr) | — |
| Annual bonus | — |
| Benefits (est 10%) | — |
| Total annual comp 2028 | — |
SaaS employee total comp 2028: base salary + 401k match (4-6% typical) + RSU/equity (annualized over 4 years vesting) + annual bonus (10-20% target) + benefits (health/dental/vision ~10% base). Total often 50-100% above base alone. Critical to understand when comparing offers.
RSU Vesting Schedules 2028
Standard: 4-year vest, 1-year cliff (25% at year 1), then monthly/quarterly through year 4. Some companies: 5-year vest, performance-based vesting. Newer: 6-year vesting with back-loading (10/20/30/40 each year) to retain longer.
RSU Tax Implications
RSUs taxed as ordinary income at vesting (not grant). High vest year = jump tax bracket. Withhold at flat 22% supplemental rate, often under-withheld. Pay quarterly estimated taxes or face penalty.
Total Comp Comparison
Offer A: $200k base + $50k bonus + $50k RSU annual = $300k. Offer B: $180k base + $30k bonus + $100k RSU annual = $310k. Same total but B is more equity-heavy = higher upside, more risk. Career stage matters.
Last updated May 2026. Sources: Levels FYI.