You're saying you get a yearly refresher that adds $80K/year? After 4 years, assuming no increase in stock price or your grant, the equity portion alone of your compensation would be $320K/year.

I think he means you get an 80k refresher every year that vests over 4 years (20k/year). After 4 years, you have a full pipeline and 4 tranches (80k/year total) vest every year.

They pay significantly more. Microsoft is another that pays a lot, especially to poach from those three.

It is not uncommon for a very good engineer with 5+ years experience to earn above $400K / year (total = base + bonus (if issued) + stocks).

But only in US.

This is what I am thinking. I get a fraction of that in Spain, and I am towards the top end of the scale.

My ass

Here's a recent, public example that I can recall.

financialsamurai.com/who-are-the-top-1-income-earners/