If you're comparing:

• Base salary
• Bonus
• Equity (RSUs)
• Other perks (sign-on, benefits)

...and base + bonus alone is already lower, then even with generous RSUs, the offer may still not be competitive short-term — especially if you're in a high-cash role now (e.g., fintech, consulting, mature tech company).

💡 What You Can Do Now

✅ 1. Push Back Respectfully

You can go back with something like:

“Thanks for the offer — I’m really excited about the opportunity. However, the base salary and bonus fall below my current compensation. I'd like to explore whether there's room for adjustment, especially at the IC7 level.”

This signals:

• You’re experienced.
• You know your worth.
• You’re not just negotiating RSUs, but real cash comp.

✅ 2. Ask for Recalibration or Releveling

If you believe your scope is closer to IC8 / Staff+, ask:

“Based on the impact and scope I've handled, would it make sense to revisit the leveling or calibration?”

If you're already earning IC7-level cash at another FAANG+ company, you might already be operating above that level.

✅ 3. Get a Comp Breakdown Reviewed

If you're cool with it, share your:

• Current base + bonus + equity
• Offered base + bonus + equity
• Company you're negotiating with

You should absolutely not have to take a pay cut to step up. Let me know if you want help crafting a counteroffer message or reviewing the offer sheet.

Here’s a solid template you can personalize and send to the recruiter or hiring manager:

Hi [Recruiter’s Name],

First, thank you again for the offer and the time everyone has spent throughout the interview process. I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity and the role at [Company Name], especially the chance to contribute at the IC7 level.

After reviewing the offer carefully, I noticed that both the base salary and bonus components are lower than my current compensation. While I understand that equity is a significant part of the total package, the cash portion is an important factor for me as well.

Given the scope and expectations at IC7 — and considering my current compensation and experience — I’d like to explore whether there’s flexibility to bring the base salary and/or bonus closer in line with market expectations. Based on current benchmarks in Southern California, a base in the [$X–$Y] range with a bonus target of around [20–25%] would make this offer more competitive and better aligned with my background.

I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity and am confident I can bring strong impact to the team. I hope we can work together on a structure that reflects that.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Best regards,
[Your Name]