Hi all,
I received an offer from Amazon for a L5 Program Manager, in Seattle. The total comp is the same as my current salary (base plus bonus - NYC location) ~160K. The thing is, there is a 30K decrease in my base but it is being compensated by Y1 / Y2 sign-on and RSUs. Is it worth making the jump
Appreciate your thoughts.
Amazon EY
Take it, it will get you out of consulting and will open more doors in tech . I am doing a similar jump and actually taking a pretty significant hit on my base salary too
I got down level as well and taking a significant pay cut from my indy consulting clients ($310/hr) with guaranteed work for 12months plus. Thing is I have mastered my current vertical and can also jump back in at any time. I am specifically joining AWS to learn new skills and get exposure. I also find cloud infrastructure fascinating. Short term sacrifice for the long term slingshot.
Monetarily I would argue no. I think it depends more on your long-term career goals.
@pwc1 yes that would have been ideal but the group I am with it’s impossible for me to witch teams. Would have to continue here and keep with the grind
Can someone comment on corporate development M&A for Amazon (analyst & manger)? I'm having an interview with them in the coming days and would like to manage expectations accordingly
What’s the signing bonus for year 1 & 2? Will you stick around for 4 years? If you leave, you don’t have to payback sign on, so that’s a plus but just 30k sign on seems low for Amazon. Are you okay moving to Seattle and COLA adjustment considered?
What level are you are EY?
I had an offer in finance that paid 220k at amazon, didn’t take it as after cola, it didn’t make sense if I have to move to Seattle. This was in 2020
You're close to the max of the L5 base salary for a program manager.
You should also be prepared for little or no raise unless you get a promo (which may make it harder to switch to product).
You are at the top of the band so there won't be much room to go higher until you get to the next band.
No income tax in WA is nice!
How does the overall amount look like? Base + bonus = 160k.
How about year-1,2 sign on bonus and RSUs?
Like what’s the average total comp you’re looking at?
I guess base is the problem here. Sign on bonus looks standard for PM. Maybe if you can negotiate on the base.
Also, a decent move if you want to be in more of non tech role. Else, technical program manager or a product manager is something that would pivot to a tech role.
Mentor
Do program managers really make that much less than, say, pre-sales? Pre-sales at L4/L5 seems to be +-10%~ from SWE but I've seen program manager roles that are -33% or more in comp compared to L4/L5 SWE
Subject Expert
Yes, this is accurate. Exception is Technical Program Managers - they are paid just as much as SA role. But non tech program managers are paid much lower
Would at least fight for 10-20K back on base. I live in NYC now but lived in Seattle for 8 years before this year, the COLA really isn’t that big of a factor moving there. Also, keep in mind they don’t have income taxes in WA.
From what you have seen… how realistic it is to get promoted in the 1.5 years or even maybe to switch roles such as TPM etc
Just curious, can I ask your yoe?
Yes I have 6years of experience