There is no right answer. I took a job a year out of college in SF at a below market salary for more equity. I'm no longer at the company, and it's still priva

There is no right answer. I took a job a year out of college in SF at a below market salary for more equity. I'm no longer at the company, and it's still private, but it has done better than expected (at least when I decide to leave) and I was able to sell a percentage of my stock via a tender offer end of last year for a very high return. My total comp as a very jr person was more than Sr engineer would typically make at a big co. It's all a lottery. And if you're trying to do the math and calculate opportunity cost I think you'll most likely be disappointed.