Stripe

Stripe offers a 401(k) plan to U.S. employees with competitive features. The plan supports traditional pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax contributions, and includes a Mega Backdoor Roth option that allows employees to maximize tax-advantaged savings beyond the standard contribution limits. This feature is particularly valuable for high earners and demonstrates Stripe's commitment to comprehensive financial benefits.

While specific match percentages are not widely publicized, the plan offers a strong investment lineup and is administered through a major retirement plan provider. Stripe has consistently expanded its benefits package as the company has grown, and the retirement plan is an important component of the overall compensation structure.

Stripe grants Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as its primary equity vehicle. RSUs vest over four years with a one-year cliff, followed by monthly vesting. As a private company, Stripe RSUs use double-trigger vesting, meaning they do not create a taxable event until both the vesting schedule and a liquidity event are satisfied. In 2020, Stripe shifted from four-year grants to annual grants of a fixed dollar amount of stock, providing more predictable equity refreshes.

Stripe has provided significant liquidity to employees through regular tender offers. In February 2025, a tender offer valued the company at $91.5 billion, and in February 2026, a subsequent tender reached a $159 billion valuation. These semi-annual liquidity events allow employees to sell a portion of their vested shares. With total payment volume reaching $1.9 trillion in 2025 (up 34%), Stripe's equity has been a powerful wealth-building vehicle, even without a traditional IPO.

Stripe provides comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents. The company offers generous PTO, including a company-wide week off during the winter holidays. A wellness stipend supports gym memberships, fitness classes, and other health-related expenses. Parental leave is competitive, and the company offers fertility and family-planning support.

Additional perks include professional development budgets, home office stipends, commuter benefits, and matching charitable contributions. Stripe's office spaces (San Francisco, Seattle, Dublin, and other locations) are well-appointed, and the company fosters a culture that values clear thinking and long-term building. Education benefits support continuous learning, and the company hosts regular internal talks and learning sessions.

As a private company, Stripe does not have publicly traded stock subject to traditional quarterly blackout windows. Employee equity is subject to transfer restrictions, and liquidity is primarily accessed through company-sponsored tender offers, which have occurred approximately annually. Outside of these events, Stripe RSUs are effectively illiquid.

Stripe leadership has been "defiantly agnostic" about an IPO, stating that going public is not among their top priorities. This means employees should plan for a potentially extended period of illiquidity. Should Stripe eventually go public, employees would become subject to standard insider trading policies, including quarterly blackout periods and a post-IPO lock-up. In the meantime, tender offers provide the primary liquidity mechanism.

Stripe's total compensation includes base salary, RSU grants, and performance-based bonuses. According to Levels.fyi, the highest-reported total compensation for software engineers reaches $934,000+ at the L5 level. Mid-level engineers typically earn $300,000–$500,000 in total compensation, with base salaries ranging from $180,000 to $280,000 depending on level and location.

Stripe's annual equity refresh model (fixed dollar amounts of RSUs each year) provides predictability and rewards continued tenure. The company benchmarks compensation against top tech companies and is known for competitive offers, particularly for senior engineers and infrastructure roles. Given the company's $159 billion valuation and strong revenue growth (on track for $1 billion annual run rate from its revenue suite), Stripe equity represents a significant portion of total compensation value with potential for further appreciation.