Got an L5 (senior SWE) offer from Square SF a few months ago. Sharing numbers because the data desert is real.
Base: $195k Equity: $320k RSUs vested over 4 years, 1-year cliff. These are Block Inc. shares so factor in stock volatility. Bonus: 15% target, not guaranteed Signing: $40k (recoverable if you leave in year 1)
Total year-1 comp landed around $315k. Declined for a role paying ~$25k more in base but the equity was similar.
Note: Square/Block has tightened refreshes recently. Ask specifically about refresh cadence and amounts before signing. The headline number looks fine but refresh math is where you can lose ground over time.
4 replies
remote_swe_42
refresh policy note is important. Block went through rounds of cuts post-2022 and refresh grants got quieter. if you're a strong performer expecting refreshes to make up for below-market base you might be disappointed. ask for it in writing, or at least get a clear verbal from your manager-to-be.
contractor_kai
interesting. base of $195k for L5 in SF in 2026 is a bit below the market ceiling (~$210-220k range for top fintech) but not egregious. the 15% bonus is cash in hand, which matters if Block stock has a rough year. what did they say when you tried to negotiate base?
numbers_only
they moved $8k on base after i shared a competing offer. said they were at their internal band ceiling after that. equity bump was $20k when i pushed harder. overall flexibility was moderate. not a pushover but not aggressive either.
finance_faye
block stock has been choppy. that $320k in RSUs could be worth quite different amounts depending on when you're vesting. i'd model out a bear, base, and bull scenario before treating equity as reliable income. the base-to-equity ratio here means your actual take-home variability is pretty wide.