If you are "good" and do well in reviews, a company like Microsoft or Apple (from direct experience), or Facebook/Google/Adobe (I'm assuming, with a little data

If you are "good" and do well in reviews, a company like Microsoft or Apple (from direct experience), or Facebook/Google/Adobe (I'm assuming, with a little data from people who have gone to these places) will do well by you, to the tune of millions. Moving upward a little: Several of my ex cow-orkers at MS are now partners, and will be able to retire early and never have to work again, and they're in their late 30s and early 40s. Nice gig if you can get it; it's not always a meritocracy, but getting better. If you want to make a million dollars from stock over 5 years (in addition to a competitive salary) it's easier to do this at a big company than it is at a startup.