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If by market rate, you mean $250k per year at Google, then yes, most startups will pay below market rate, but it's a competitive market for talent and it's very

If by market rate, you mean $250k per year at Google, then yes, most startups will pay below market rate, but it's a competitive market for talent and it's very hard for startups to attract good talent. You need a generous compensation package and a compelling mission. Everyone on my team makes 2x - 3x what I make, and I'm three years into my startup. I wouldn't expect a non-founder to assume that same burden. Moreover, if we fail I'll have no savings, I'll likely have gone bankrupt trying to save the company, and that Magical Founders Club you speak of really only exists for founders who built a successful company and had an exit for their investors. You also mentioned stress and health issues. I'm not sure why founders would be immune to that. They should have it far far worse. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

angersock 11y ago
You'd be amazed at the number of companies in the Midwest that balk at paying devs above 65K, even for senior level work. As for your company--if you fail and it wipes out your savings, that was your choice as a founder. There is no golden rule saying you need spend anything more than what is necessary to file bankruptcy. There's a reason it's called a limited-liability corporation. And yes, being a founder isn't easy (did that, flamed out, f--- would not recommend on amazon), but at the same time the sort of stress is quite different than the ongoing exploitation and powerlessness that you can find as an early employee faced with misbehaving founders. At least as a founder you have some degree of control.