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We have verified offer letters for several of these companies that users have submitted to us.

It would probably be an interesting article to delve into what accounts for the difference between the Bay Area's $227,000 median (which sounds about right) and the $400K-$500K that 5 years of experience gets at the top of your list. The difference is striking, essentially paying double the median amount for moderately experienced employees.

That's easy: most people aren't senior/staff engineers.

Considering that the overall category is "software engineering compensation", many people will be senior/staff engineers, unless people are constantly washing out in less than 5 years time.

Staff usually makes up less than 10% of people, and senior is above the median at most places.

Levels.Fyi further biases towards new grads. A more representative sample would likely move the median higher. And most people are at the low end of senior after five years, if that.

Let me reiterate that: the median silicon valley swe has under 5YOE.

I would just add that some people never make it to staff level. 5 years is a _minimum_ but majority of folks take longer to get there.

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