Most startup employees don't even get 80K. My last "exit" as an early employee was barely 20K. I doubt my current startup will be any better. I look at this as

Most startup employees don't even get 80K. My last "exit" as an early employee was barely 20K. I doubt my current startup will be any better. I look at this as a "bonus" and not anything that was expected. The average startup employee will be lucky to get non-zero. If you want "returns", you're better off getting a stable, higher paying job and investing the excess in public markets. You have diversification and liquidity.