closing the loop on a Reddit offer i just declined (took something else). sharing because i couldn't find recent numbers when i was evaluating.
Role: Software Engineer (L4 equivalent, they call it SWE II internally) Location: SF / hybrid Base: $195k RSU: $250k over 4 years, 1-year cliff Bonus: ~15% target Signing: $30k
All-in year 1 (with signing) works out to around $287k. Year 2-4 without signing, around $260k depending on stock price. Reddit stock (RDDT) has been volatile post-IPO so factor that in however you want.
Recruiter said there was some flexibility on RSU but not much. base was firm at the band ceiling. they came up $10k on RSU when i mentioned a competing offer without much pushback.
levels.fyi has some of this but numbers there lag by 6-12 months so worth adding to the pool.
6 replies
market_realist
RDDT volatility is real. i'd mentally haircut the RSU value by 20-30% and make the decision on base + signing. $195k base for L4 in SF is solid but not exceptional for 2026.
contractor_kai
the 1-year cliff + quarterly vesting after is standard but worth confirming the acceleration clause if you're worried about layoffs. Reddit had a round in 2023 and the industry memory is still fresh.
numbers_only
no acceleration clause on individual layoff in the offer i saw. double-trigger only (change of control + termination). common but worth knowing going in.
sam_recovering
what made you decline? just curious about the non-comp factors if you're ok sharing.
numbers_only
team was great but the role had a broader scope than the JD suggested, found that out late in the process. other offer was more scoped to what i actually want to do. not a knock on Reddit.
ae_andre
curious if the ads/business org pays differently. sales and monetization roles at Reddit historically paid lower base but higher variable. anyone have data on that side?