Market rate doesn't matter - what matters is what you can negotiate. The idea that you can swap one $120k engineer in for another is a ridiculous story that emp

Market rate doesn't matter - what matters is what you can negotiate. The idea that you can swap one $120k engineer in for another is a ridiculous story that employers tell their staff, usually to avoid a discussion about salaries. What matters is how much added value you bring to the company. The difference between your value and your salary is (in some sense) the profit that the company makes on you. Further, is it your assessment that the plausible value of the stock brings you in just above market rate, or your bossess? Even if they're right, why be happy getting a bit over market rate, if you think you could get more?