Close Menu
TechBrunchTechBrunch
  • Home
  • AI
  • Apps
  • Crypto
  • Security
  • Startups
  • TechCrunch
  • Venture

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news

Subscribe my Newsletter for New Posts & tips Let's stay updated!

What's Hot

Amazon identifies problem that destroyed much of the internet, says AWS is back to normal

October 21, 2025

Top researchers from OpenAI and Google Brain spark $300M VC frenzy for startup Periodic Labs

October 20, 2025

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is coming to disrupt 2025

October 20, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
TechBrunchTechBrunch
  • Home
  • AI

    OpenAI seeks to extend human lifespans with the help of longevity startups

    January 17, 2025

    Farewell to the $200 million woolly mammoth and TikTok

    January 17, 2025

    Nord Security founder launches Nexos.ai to help enterprises move AI projects from pilot to production

    January 17, 2025

    Data proves it remains difficult for startups to raise capital, even though VCs invested $75 billion in the fourth quarter

    January 16, 2025

    Apple suspends AI notification summaries for news after generating false alerts

    January 16, 2025
  • Apps

    Google brings Pixel 6 and new devices to Material3 Expressive, along with other features, to the Pixel 6 and new devices

    September 3, 2025

    Google's NoteBookLM now allows you to customize the tone of your AI podcasts

    September 3, 2025

    Roblox expands the use of age estimation techniques and introduces standardized assessments

    September 3, 2025

    Instagram finally launches the iPad app

    September 3, 2025

    Complete the 2025 Confusion Builder Stage Agenda with the Maximum Scaling Voice

    September 3, 2025
  • Crypto

    Last minute ticket deals for Disrupt 2025: +1 for 60% off

    October 20, 2025

    Last minute ticket deals for Disrupt 2025: +1 for 60% off

    October 20, 2025

    Solana’s Anatoly Yakovenko talks about the next chapter of cryptocurrencies at Disrupt 2025

    October 17, 2025

    Last flash sale before Disrupt 2025 doors open – save up to $624

    October 17, 2025

    Coinbase expands investment in India's CoinDCX, with exchange value of $2.45 billion

    October 15, 2025
  • Security

    Amazon identifies problem that destroyed much of the internet, says AWS is back to normal

    October 21, 2025

    Amazon DNS outage destroys large portions of the Internet

    October 20, 2025

    Spyware maker NSO Group blocked from WhatsApp

    October 18, 2025

    Amazon's Ring to partner with Flock, an AI camera network used by ICE, federal government, and law enforcement

    October 16, 2025

    Cyber ​​giant F5 Networks says government hackers gained “prolonged” access to its systems and stole code and customer data.

    October 15, 2025
  • Startups

    7 days left: Founders and VCs save over $300 on all stage passes

    March 24, 2025

    AI chip startup Furiosaai reportedly rejecting $800 million acquisition offer from Meta

    March 24, 2025

    20 Hottest Open Source Startups of 2024

    March 22, 2025

    Andrill may build a weapons factory in the UK

    March 21, 2025

    Startup Weekly: Wiz bets paid off at M&A Rich Week

    March 21, 2025
  • TechCrunch

    OpenSea takes a long-term view with a focus on UX despite NFT sales remaining low

    February 8, 2024

    AI will save software companies' growth dreams

    February 8, 2024

    B2B and B2C are not about who buys, but how you sell

    February 5, 2024

    It's time for venture capital to break away from fast fashion

    February 3, 2024

    a16z's Chris Dixon believes it's time to focus on blockchain use cases rather than speculation

    February 2, 2024
  • Venture

    Top researchers from OpenAI and Google Brain spark $300M VC frenzy for startup Periodic Labs

    October 20, 2025

    San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is coming to disrupt 2025

    October 20, 2025

    7 days left until TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, ticket prices will increase

    October 20, 2025

    This top VC bets nearly 20% of its money on teenagers – here's why

    October 18, 2025

    A comprehensive list of 2025 tech layoffs

    October 17, 2025
TechBrunchTechBrunch

$132,000 – $149,000, here's how much seed-stage founders pay their early employees, based on data

TechBrunchBy TechBrunchDecember 25, 20243 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Telegram Email


When a startup raises a seed round, the eternal question arises: how much should the founders pay themselves and their first few employees?

Kruze Consulting, a CPA firm specializing in venture-backed startups, recently analyzed the average salary range of over 450 seed-stage startups and shared the data with TechCrunch.

The averages below are based on actual payroll records, not survey responses, Kruse said.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, salaries for technical engineering/product roles tend to be higher than for CEOs. What's surprising is that salaries for people with COO/Operations titles tend to be even higher on average. This is frowned upon. That's because the title Operations/COO could alert seed VCs to a third co-founder who doesn't have a clear role. There aren't that many operations to run in a small company. Even having that role can be a red flag for early-stage VCs regarding spending/budget.

Nevertheless, according to Kruse, the average salary for founder executives is:

CEO: $132,000 CTO: $134,000 COO/Operations: $135,000 Products/CPO: $149,000

These salaries are not very high, especially in the Bay Area, which is a land of startups. For example, Kruse also notes that very senior engineers are entering seed startups with salaries ranging from $180,000 to $235,000 in the Bay Area and $160,000 to $210,000 elsewhere. I discovered it. Entry-level engineers, on the other hand, don't get paid as much, even in San Francisco, which averages between $75,000 and $105,000.

Note that founders tend to get healthy raises with each funding round. The average salary for the Founder Executive category after Series A is $183,000, rising to $218,000 by Series B.

According to Kruse, starting salaries for entry-level employees in positions that are unlikely to be founders are:

Engineering, Intermediate Level: $100,000 to $145,000 Bay Area. Other tech hubs from $90,000 to $130,000 Sales, mid-level: Bay Area from $80,000 to $110,000. Other product titles from $70,000 to $100,000: Bay Area from $130,000 to $185,000; $110,000 – $175,000 Other Marketing, Mid-Level: $100,000 – $175,000 Bay Area. $80,000 – $145,000 Others

Employees also tend to acquire stock. This is one of the attractions of joining a startup. Carta's data on more than 8,000 initial grants shows how much money the first five employers can expect, and the grants tend to be awarded over four years.

1st person: Equity 0.5% to 4% (median 1.49%) 2nd person: Equity 0.3% to 2% (median 0.85%) 3rd person: Equity 0.21% to 1.2% (median 0.50%) 4th person : Equity capital 0.18% to 1% (median 0.85%) 0.44%) 5th place: 0.13% ~ Equity capital 0.8% (median 0.34%)

This article was originally published on December 2, 2024.



Source link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

7 days left: Founders and VCs save over $300 on all stage passes

March 24, 2025

AI chip startup Furiosaai reportedly rejecting $800 million acquisition offer from Meta

March 24, 2025

20 Hottest Open Source Startups of 2024

March 22, 2025

Andrill may build a weapons factory in the UK

March 21, 2025

Startup Weekly: Wiz bets paid off at M&A Rich Week

March 21, 2025

Wayve CEO shares his key elements for scaling autonomous driving technology

March 21, 2025

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Top Reviews
Editors Picks

7 days left: Founders and VCs save over $300 on all stage passes

March 24, 2025

AI chip startup Furiosaai reportedly rejecting $800 million acquisition offer from Meta

March 24, 2025

20 Hottest Open Source Startups of 2024

March 22, 2025

Andrill may build a weapons factory in the UK

March 21, 2025
About Us
About Us

Welcome to Tech Brunch, your go-to destination for cutting-edge insights, news, and analysis in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cryptocurrency, Technology, and Startups. At Tech Brunch, we are passionate about exploring the latest trends, innovations, and developments shaping the future of these dynamic industries.

Our Picks

Amazon identifies problem that destroyed much of the internet, says AWS is back to normal

October 21, 2025

Top researchers from OpenAI and Google Brain spark $300M VC frenzy for startup Periodic Labs

October 20, 2025

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is coming to disrupt 2025

October 20, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news

Subscribe my Newsletter for New Posts & tips Let's stay updated!

© 2025 TechBrunch. Designed by TechBrunch.
  • Home
  • About Tech Brunch
  • Advertise with Tech Brunch
  • Contact us
  • DMCA Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.