How US compensation works
US offers lead with a base salary in USD, usually with a target bonus, equity (RSUs or options), and, for sales, OTE that combines base and commission. Total comp can be well above base, especially at senior levels and in the Bay Area.
Cost of living and market matter enormously: the same title pays very differently in San Francisco, New York, Austin, and remote-friendly companies that pay to a national band.
Indicative base-salary ranges by role
Software Engineer: $110k–$210k. DevOps / Platform Engineer: $130k–$210k. Data Engineer: $120k–$200k. Data Analyst: $80k–$140k.
Product Manager: $130k–$220k. Product / UX Designer: $110k–$180k. Engineering Manager: $170k–$260k. Account Executive: $70k–$140k base, with OTE typically about double.
What drives pay
Location (Bay Area and NYC top the range; Austin, Seattle, Chicago, and remote vary), level (the jump from senior to staff+ is large), specialised skills (AI/ML, infrastructure), and total-comp mix, a lower base can still mean strong total comp with equity and bonus.