There are two ways to evaluate salaries / compensation packages: 1. What is your price in the market? 2. How much money do you need to be able to focus on your

There are two ways to evaluate salaries / compensation packages: 1. What is your price in the market? 2. How much money do you need to be able to focus on your work and not worry about money. Most companies use a mix of both approaches, depending on the role and the individual. For most employees, the second perspective makes for a better experience. As long as you get enough each month to make the money problem a non-issue, you get to focus on the work itself, which can be a very positive experience. Some people (or the same people at different phases of their lives) want to optimise for getting the highest price they can get in the market. That's a valid choice, but one that in many cases results in a suboptimal work experience.