Tech offers have multiple parts. Understand each one.
Base salary: Your guaranteed annual pay. Most reliable component.
Signing bonus: One-time payment when you join. Often bridges salary gaps.
Annual bonus: Target percentage of base. Depends on company and individual performance.
Equity/Stock: Public companies offer RSUs vesting over years. Startups offer options with strike price. Worth zero if company fails.
Benefits: Health insurance, k match, PTO. Can be worth k-k annually.
For your first tech role, prioritize base salary over equity. Cash is certain.