How Much Should a CEO Earn at a $300M ARR Startup?
A recent discussion among colleagues raised questions about CEO compensation at a growth-stage startup. For the sake of discussion, assume the CEO has no equity stake. The viewpoints vary:
- One perspective: compensation should be no more than $250,000
- Another perspective: compensation around $350,000
- A third perspective: compensation could be as high as $750,000
These figures exclude the typical add-ons such as 401(k) matching, health benefits, bonuses, and other standard perks. What are your thoughts on appropriate CEO pay for a company at this revenue level, and how should non-equity compensation be calibrated?
