Comp data: Senior SWE, Mastercard, NYC, May 2026

analyst_ana · 4 replies

Just got an offer. Sharing because I couldn't find current numbers anywhere.

Role: Senior Software Engineer (Band E) Location: NYC (Hudson Yards office, hybrid 3x/week) Base: $158,000 Annual bonus target: 15% of base ($23,700) Annual equity refresh: ~$40,000 in RSUs (4-year vest, no cliff mentioned, still reviewing) Sign-on: $20,000 (1-year clawback)

Total first-year: roughly $241,700 all-in if I stay the year and hit bonus target

For context: 8 YOE, previous comp was $195k base at a smaller fintech with minimal equity. The base is a step down but the equity and bonus make the total roughly even, and Mastercard has a better benefits package (the HSA contribution alone is meaningful).

I did negotiate. Initial offer was $148k base. Countered at $165k, landed at $158k. They wouldn't move on sign-on. Recruiter said "bands are fairly rigid at this level" which I've heard before. True or not, I didn't push hard enough.

Happy to answer questions.

4 replies

contractor_kai

thanks for sharing. how was equity structured, is it actual restricted stock or phantom equity? and do they do performance-based RSU adjustments or is the refresh a flat number?

numbers_only

actual RSUs on NYSE-listed MCI stock. the refresh I was told is reviewed annually and can flex based on performance review rating. so the $40k number is roughly what they quoted but it's not contractually fixed. I'm treating it as a floor estimate.

market_realist

15% bonus target is decent for a financial services company. I know people at big banks getting 10% targets and they never hit them. what's the actual payout history there, do you know if they typically hit the target or was it vague?

finance_faye

the hybrid 3x/week in NYC is a real cost to factor in for anyone coming from full remote. if you're commuting from NJ or CT that's easily $4-6k/yr in transit costs that doesn't show up in the offer letter.