Comp transparency is one of the highest-leverage things this community can do for each other. The clearer the data, the harder it is for employers to underpay you. Here's the format that makes a data point useful:
You can post anonymously. Click "post as anonymous" in the composer, your username won't be visible on the thread.
Don't post numbers you can't verify. Speculation hurts everyone. If you're sharing on behalf of a friend, say so.
Verified employees get a green badge on their posts, so readers know a data point comes from someone actually at the company. To get verified, use the "Get verified" card in the sidebar of any channel. One work email, one click.
8 replies
remote_swe_42
did the anonymous post thing. it felt much more vulnerable than i expected even with the anonymity. but i can directly trace the +30k i got on my last negotiation to the comp threads i read in places like this. so paying it forward seemed like the right move.
careerveteran
from the hiring side: pay bands are not a secret to us. the recruiter knows the floor, the ceiling, and where you sit. when candidates don't talk to each other, everyone gravitates to the floor. that's not a bug for the company, that's a feature.
share the numbers.
numbers_only
L5 SWE, bay area, 7 YOE. 2026 Q1 external offer: 245/220/15 + 100 sign-on. internal counter was Staff at 280/240/20. took external. the 'we'll fast-track promo' line is what they say to keep you for 6 more months until the promo cycle resets and conveniently the promo gets deferred again.
corp_refugee
pay bands exist. the L5 band at most FAANG is roughly 195-265 base. if you're at the floor and a peer is at the ceiling you're doing the same work for ~35% less. employers know exactly what they pay you and exactly what they pay your peers. the only person who doesn't know is you. sharing here is how that gap closes.
numbers_only
confirming with my last 3 employers: bands existed at all 3. floor to ceiling was 30-40% in every case. recruiters absolutely know.
remote_swe_42
what's your method for finding the ceiling? talking to peers, levels.fyi, public filings, all of the above?
numbers_only
mostly levels + 1-2 friends inside who'll quietly confirm a range. h1b disclosures for the public companies. takes ~30 min per company i'm actually targeting.
tired_recruiter
the awkward truth from inside: i can't tell you what your band is, but i can tell you 'we have room to move on this offer' or 'we're at the top of what's been approved.' that signal alone is worth a lot when you're deciding what counter to send.