Understanding Compensation Trends for Meta Employees: An In-Depth Analysis

Recently, a member of the Meta E4 community shared their concerns about earning just under $60k in W2 last year, prompting a wave of supportive comments from fellow users. However, we can use recent data to help alleviate their worries, highlighting that perhaps it was just bad luck or interview performance that kept them from landing at the top levels.

Compensation Breakdown for E-Level Positions

Let’s take a look at the four-year average compensation for different employee levels at Meta based on data gathered last year:

• E4: $175k base / 15% bonus / $500k RSU / $70k sign-on bonus ➡️ Total: $344k/year
• E5: $220k base / 15% bonus / $875k RSU / $100k sign-on bonus ➡️ Total: $497k/year
• E6: $264k base / 20% bonus / $1.5M RSU / $100k sign-on bonus ➡️ Total: $717k/year
• E7: $290k base / 25% bonus / $2.7M RSU / $100k sign-on bonus ➡️ Total: $1.06M/year

Stock Performance and Overall Compensation

In 2022, after excluding January, Meta’s stock fluctuated between the low $200s and around $100. With the recent stock price closing near $615, the RSU values have increased significantly, potentially reaching 3x to 6x what employees received upon joining. Using these figures, we can recalculate total compensation with adjusted RSU values:

• E4: $594k, $719k, $844k, $969k
• E5: $934k, $1.15M, $1.37M, $1.59M
• E6: $1.47M, $1.84M, $2.22M, $2.59M
• E7: $2.41M, $3.09M, $3.76M, $4.44M

Annual Refreshers and Future Prospects

Additionally, the annual refreshers for positions E4 to E7 need to be factored into the equation. By assuming MA ratings and a multiplier of 1 without considering Executive-level roles, we can estimate annual refreshers for these roles:

• E4: $88k
• E5: $176k
• E6: $280k
• E7: $480k

As of February 2023, the average stock price was around $185, showing a 3.3x increase. Based on current prices, the refreshed stocks amount to about:

• E4: $73k
• E5: $145k
• E6: $231k
• E7: $396k

Total Compensation Analysis

Given these calculations, for employees who joined Meta in 2022 and have held steady, the adjusted total compensation (TC) reflects substantial growth:

• E4: $660k, $785k, $910k, $1.04M
• E5: $1.07M, $1.28M, $1.50M, $1.72M
• E6: $1.68M, $2.05M, $2.43M, $2.80M
• E7: $2.77M, $3.45M, $4.12M, $4.80M

Conclusion

Even if an E4 employee felt down about earning below $60k in W2 last year, it’s important to recognize that, based on stock performance and total compensation, there is a silver lining. Bad luck or missed opportunities shouldn’t dampen your spirits. If you’re still searching for fulfillment, consider waiting until next year’s cliff before exploring new opportunities—there might be a brighter chance ahead!

In the world of tech, timing and understanding trends can make all the difference. Embrace the journey and keep striving for success! 😊