---
title: "Compensation"
description: "Payment and benefits schemes."
asIndexPage: true
---

import { FaDiscord, FaMap } from "react-icons/fa";
import { Steps } from "nextra/components";

## Compensation

### Pay

Everyone at Menlo is on the same payscale, with cost of living adjustments based on [location](#location).

Your base cash pay is determined based on realized impact, not titles. Workstream owners, responsible for the success/failure of a project & team, are compensated more than individual contributors. Folks at the same contribution levels receive equitable base pay.

Based on your [progression](progression) speed, we have been known to adjust pay frequently and aggressively.

### Location

We provide a location adjustment for folks living in a high cost of living area. We use the [Numbeo](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/) index to arrive at a fair & equitable total.

### Bonus

Depending on location, we pay a discretionary cash bonus twice per year. The bonus typically ranges from 5-17% of your base pay, and is based on the company's performance and your individual contribution.

### ESOP

We offer an employee stock ownership plan to all full-time employees. The ESOP is a key part of our compensation package and is designed to align everyone's incentives with the long-term success of the company. Read our [ESOP policy](esop).

### Benefits

- **Equipment**: After the probation period, you get a $1000-$1500 USD budget for equipment. Eligible items inlude: laptop, monitors, keyboard, mouse, and noise cancelling headphones. Please see our [spending policy](spending) for more details.

- **AI Subscriptions**: We are an AI native team - the expectation is to use AI to 100x your productivity. You get $100/month towards AI subscriptions and tools. Search `AI API Key Access Instructions` in Discord to get access.

- **Language & Presentation Skills**: We grant a $100 yearly budget to improve in language skills (eg [Italki](https://www.italki.com/), [Elsa](https://elsaspeak.com/en/), [Cambly](https://www.cambly.com/english?lang=en) tutors, classes and books)
