140k base for FAANGs allow them to get a few new hire suckers, and also keep the press and glassdoor away from what they're really paying people. It also depres

140k base for FAANGs allow them to get a few new hire suckers, and also keep the press and glassdoor away from what they're really paying people. It also depresses wages as other companies latch onto the 140k number and engineers going into FAANGs will ask for less. Most of the money is in RSUs. Just avoid companies that aren't paying you enough - you can work your ass off and be doing wonderful new fancy specialized work and still make 50% of the prevailing wage, because the company won't pay more.