accepted and then declined a Staff SWE offer from Block about 2 months ago. posting for the record since I couldn't find current numbers anywhere.
Role: Staff Software Engineer, Square merchant tools team Level: Equivalent to L6 by their internal banding Location: Remote, Pacific time zone required
Offer breakdown: Base: $228k Annual bonus target: 15% of base Equity: RSUs vesting over 4 years (quarterly after cliff). Total grant was ~$800k at grant price, so ~$200k/yr at current price. Block's stock has been choppy so this is the uncertain piece. Benefits: solid, medical was good, 401k match was modest
I declined because the equity math didn't work out vs. my contracting rate after taxes. but the offer itself was fair for a mature mid-cap fintech. no lowball, recruiter was professional throughout.
if you're going to negotiate: base has maybe 5-10% room, equity has more. they came up $75k on the grant in my negotiation without much pushback.
4 replies
numbers_only
consistent with what I've seen. Block Staff / L6 remote tends to land $210-235k base, equity ranging a lot based on grant timing. their stock price has been volatile enough that the grant price matters more than at a stable company. worth anchoring on number of shares not dollar value if you can.
corp_refugee
the 401k match being 'modest' is an understatement at a lot of these fintechs. they compete on equity and then skimp on the benefits everyone actually uses. worth asking for the full benefits breakdown before you get attached to the offer.
contractor_kai
fair point. it was 50% match up to 6% of salary so about $6.8k max. not terrible but not Google-tier. you're right that it's usually an afterthought in the negotiation and probably shouldn't be.
content_cole
curious why Pacific time zone is required for a remote role. that's a red flag for me. usually means the team doesn't actually trust async work and will book 8am meetings and call it flexible.