Observed comp bands from 42 employer-posted ranges in the September 2026 HN "Who is hiring?" thread - companies stating their own numbers, not survey data or self-reported candidates. Data as of September 2026
$120k–$190k cash · 1–2% equity, up to cofounder-level
Pre-seed and seed. The equity does the negotiating. Observed: Axo $120–160k + founding equity; Cascade Space $150–190k + equity (SF); Astoria AI equity-only pre-seed converting to $190–280k post-seed.
$150k–$250k cash · 0.2–1% equity
Seed to Series A. SF onsite. Observed: Silkline $150–225k; Uncountable $130–220k (SF); Loft Orbital $180–240k (SF); Paramark $199–249k (SF); Mondrio $200–250k (SF); Balerion AI $250k+ base + seed equity (SF).
$200k–$400k+ cash · smaller equity, refreshers matter
Growth stage. Observed: Mechanize $300–400k (SF); AIUC $200–400k (SF); DualEntry $250–375k; Amplify Renewables $200–375k all cash (SF); Discord $280–330k (SF).
Every range above is from a public September 2026 HN hiring post written by the hiring company itself (source thread, 42 posts with ranges). Bands are read off those postings, not invented. Refreshed from each month's thread plus our own mandate outcomes.
We price mandates against real first-year cash, and our fee stays fixed whatever the band: 10% of first-year cash when a hire starts. No retainer. Talent pays nothing.