I have never worked at a FAANG. Not only do typical companies pay much less, there isn't much in the way of stock packages. Usually there is some kind of ESPP,

I have never worked at a FAANG. Not only do typical companies pay much less, there isn't much in the way of stock packages. Usually there is some kind of ESPP, which is just a low-risk way for us to gamble on the stock price going up. FAANGS are unusual in that they actually do reward productive employees. I'm the top performer on my current team. After 3 years of no raises, I threw a bitch fit, and after a bunch of bureaucratic bullshit, I ended up with +6%. I have 0 stock or benefits because I am a contractor, which is a whole other load of shit I could complain about.