Posting actual data, no vibes. Compiled from my own offers plus a few people in my network who have shared with me directly, all 2026.
Amazon L5 SWE (senior), Seattle: Base: $175k-$185k. They're notoriously reluctant to go above $185k on base for L5 regardless of competing offers. RSU: $280k-$380k over 4 years. Vesting is backloaded: 5% / 15% / 40% / 40%. So you get almost nothing year 1 and 2. This is important and everyone forgets it when the total comp looks good on paper. Signing bonus: typically split over 2 years to offset the slow vest. Range I've seen: $50k-$90k total, split $30k year 1 / $20k-$60k year 2. Negotiable. AIP (annual bonus): target 15% of base. Not guaranteed, performance-gated. Total year-1 cash: rough estimate $225k-$250k depending on signing bonus. Year 3-4 total comp climbs meaningfully if equity value holds.
Amazon L6 SWE (staff-equivalent), Seattle: Base: $185k-$200k. Same base ceiling phenomenon, more pronounced. RSU: $400k-$600k+ over 4 years. The range is wide at L6. Signing: $80k-$120k total, typically front-loaded toward year 1. AIP: target 20% of base. Total year-1 cash: $275k-$320k range.
A few things worth knowing about Amazon comp structure that differ from Google/Meta: No refresher grants in year 1 or 2 usually. You're waiting for the big vest years. If you leave before year 2 you've essentially worked for base + signing. Many people do exactly this. Competing offers DEFINITELY matter for moving the RSU grant. I've seen RSUs shift by $80k with one competing offer from Meta. Base almost never moves more than $5k-$10k. AWS roles in NYC pay the same base as Seattle. Remote roles may differ.
Happy to answer follow-up questions on specific role types.