FAANG Tech Total Compensation Calculator
FAANG TC = base + bonus + (RSU grant / 4) + (refresh / 4). The 'year-1 spike' from signing bonus + initial RSU vesting hides the true ongoing TC.
| Base salary | — |
| Target bonus | — |
| Annual RSU vesting (initial / 4) | — |
| Signing bonus (year 1 only) | — |
| Year 1 TC | — |
| Year 2 TC (signing gone) | — |
| Year 3 TC (with 1 refresh starting to vest) | — |
| Year 4+ TC (steady state with refreshes) | — |
FAANG-style total compensation (TC) consists of base salary + cash bonus + RSU equity grants + signing bonus + annual stock refreshers. The 'year 1 spike' from signing bonus and initial RSU vesting often misleads candidates — actual ongoing TC settles 20-40% lower by Year 2. This calculator projects 4-year TC trajectory so you can see your true steady-state compensation.
Year-1 Spike vs Steady State
Year 1 TC = base + bonus + (RSU grant ÷ 4) + signing bonus. The signing bonus is paid ONCE — typically with a 12-24 month clawback if you leave early. By Year 2, your TC drops by the signing bonus amount. By Year 4, the initial RSU grant is fully vested and steady state TC depends entirely on refresh grants. Most candidates underestimate this drop, then feel underpaid in Years 2-3. Always negotiate based on Year 2+ TC, not Year 1.
Refresh Grants — The Variable Component
Stock refreshers are typically granted annually based on performance review (top performers may get 100%+ of initial grant; poor performers get 0%). Refresh grants vest over 4 years, so by Year 4 you have three refresh grants vesting simultaneously plus the original. Companies vary: Meta/Google = generous refreshers, Amazon = front-loaded with 5%/15%/40%/40% schedule on initial grant + small refreshers, Apple = relatively flat. Always ask about refresh policy and historical refresh patterns for your level during interviews.
Stock Price Risk
RSUs vest at fair market value on vest date — not grant date. If the stock drops 50%, your effective TC drops by ~half on the equity portion. During 2022-2023 tech downturn, many engineers saw effective TC drop 30-40% as Meta, Amazon, Snap stocks fell. Diversify by selling RSUs immediately upon vesting (no tax impact since you already paid ordinary income tax) and rebalancing into broader indexes. Source: Levels.fyi salary database, Pragmatic Engineer compensation research, Carta equity reports.
Last updated May 2026. Sources: Levels.fyi.