At faang-level tech companies. Total comp. Base is likely 30% of that. By the time someone reaches principal they've likely been at the company for 5+ years whi

At faang-level tech companies. Total comp. Base is likely 30% of that. By the time someone reaches principal they've likely been at the company for 5+ years which for many is long enough for equity to snowball such that previous years' grants are vesting at 5x their grant valuation. (Or if they're hired on as principal they're likely leaving similar comp on the table so hiring managers have to make up for it, usually with future-vesting equity of similar current valuations.)