sharing my offer from late 2025, Westlake TX hub, Senior Software Engineer (their internal band is roughly L4/L5): base: $148k annual bonus target: 10% (they said historically has paid out at 95-105% of target most years) RSU: $80k over 4 years (25% each year, no cliff, starts vesting year 1) 401k match: 100% up to 6% of base
total cash first year including bonus target: ~$163k. total comp closer to $183k if you include RSU at grant value.
for context: i came from contracting so the benefits package was a significant factor for me. healthcare was solid and the vacation accrual was reasonable for a company this size. not FAANG numbers obviously but Schwab comp has improved meaningfully in the last few years and Westlake cost of living is a different equation than Austin or SF.
4 replies
numbers_only
useful. comp is in line with what i've seen for that level and market. the no-cliff RSU vesting is actually better than a lot of big tech where year 1 is 5% or 0%. that changes the math on short-term total comp noticeably.
market_realist
10% bonus target is modest compared to what i've seen at banks proper but Schwab isn't exactly a bank anymore either. the RSU structure being stable and predictable is worth something when the market is choppy.
pivot_pat
did you try to negotiate? curious whether Schwab has flex on the base or if it's a take-it-or-leave-it situation at senior level.
contractor_kai
yes, negotiated base up $8k from initial and got them to bump the RSU grant slightly. took two rounds. recruiter was fine with it, not pushy in either direction. signing bonus wasn't on the table for my role but i've heard it exists for competitive candidates.