Compensation

We want to build a company that outlasts us, and that starts with how we treat (and pay) our team. Our goal is simple: offer top-tier compensation that supports your individual context, allowing you to live a life of quality and focus.

This guide outlines exactly how we calculate your salary, the data behind it, and how we handle logistics like currency and relocation.

🎯 Our Vision for Compensation

We developed this framework to ensure our compensation remains fair, competitive, and sustainable:

• Equity: We aim to provide an equivalent, exceptional quality of life to all Doisters, regardless of where they live in the world.

• Competitiveness: We want to attract and retain top talent in any market by offering outstanding salaries and benefits.

• Transparency: We approach compensation openly, using clear data rather than black boxes.

• Total Compensation: We optimize for the full package—salary, bonuses, stock options, and perks—to give as much back to you as possible.

• Financial Discipline: We prioritize rewarding individual and team growth without compromising the company's long-term sustainability.

🧮 The Salary Formula

Our calculation is straightforward. We use a data-backed benchmark and adjust it based on where you live to ensure equitable purchasing power.

Base Salary from Benchmark × Cost of Living Multiplier = Your Base Salary

1. The Benchmark (Carta)

We use Carta Total Compensation as our source of truth. We switched to Carta (from Payscale) because it provides better data on total packages, including bonus and Employee Stock Option Program (ESOP), as detailed in our Rewards Program 2025 and beyond.

Our Benchmark Settings:

• Peer Group: Companies valued between $50M and $100M.

  • Based on our latest 409A Evaluation, from June 2025, Doist is valued at $78M.

• Job Market: U.S. Average.

• Market Position: 75th percentile.

What this means for you: We aim to pay a base salary higher than 75% of similar roles at comparable U.S. tech companies within our peer group.

2. Cost of Living (CoL) Index

To ensure a similar quality of life for every Doister, we adjust salaries based on location. While we analyzed moving to location-independent pay, the data showed that keeping CoL adjustments is the most equitable way to support teammates in high-cost areas.

• Data Source: We use the latest available data for your specific city.

• The Fallback: If there isn't enough data for your specific city, we use the nearest city within a 30km radius.

💡 Example Calculation

Note: This is a hypothetical example for privacy. If a person works as a Scientific Researcher at Level 5 and lives in New York City (CoL Factor = 1.25), and the 75th percentile benchmark for that role is $127,000:

$127,000 (Benchmark) × 1.25 (CoL) = $158,750 (Annual Salary)

⏸️ Legacy Compensation

Sometimes, our formula might output a number lower than what you are currently earning (due to benchmark fluctuations or formula updates). In these cases, your salary will not be reduced. You will retain your current salary as "legacy pay."

While legacy pay adds complexity, we believe it's necessary to protect you from sudden changes. Here is how long legacy pay applies:

• Changes outside your control (3 Years): If the change is due to market trends, benchmark provider switches, or formula updates, your legacy pay is protected for 3 years. We expect market growth and career progression to close the gap within this time.

• Changes within your control (1 Year): If the change is due to a voluntary internal role change, your legacy pay is protected for 1 year. Relocation is not covered by this condition.

🔄 Annual Updates

We want you to know when to expect changes.

• Data Refresh: We update the Total Compensation benchmark and Cost of Living index annually in June/July.

• Effective Date: These updates go into effect in November (subject to financial performance).

💵 Currency & Exchange Rates for Salaries

All our calculations start in USD, but you can choose to be paid in your local currency. To keep things consistent, we set fixed Foreign Exchange (FX) rates annually.

For expenses paid via Ramp, please follow this guideline.

Current Rolling 36-month FX Rates (Nov 2025 – Nov 2026):

When are these rates applied?

1. Annual Request: You can request to change your payment currency during our annual compensation event in November.

2. Compensation Events: Whenever your compensation changes (e.g., company-wide updates, promotions, or relocation).

🌏 Relocation & Address Changes

Moving to a new city? Exciting! Because our salaries are location-dependent to ensure equity, if your tax residence changes, you need to notify us before you formally relocate.

How to report a move:

1. Notify the People Team: Please reach out before your relocation to confirm how this will affect your salary.

2. Submit your address change in Bob:

   • Go to your Employee Profile.

   • Click Actions > Update profile > Address change.

   • Set your relocation date as the Effective Date.

3. Approval: The People Team will receive a notification to review and approve the change. The Doister’s leader will also be notified to confirm the budgetary implications of the relocation.

Important details:

• Tax Residence: Adjustments are based on your tax residence (where you physically live), not where your registered company is located (if this is a different location). While many factors can go into the decision to relocate, you are strongly encouraged to discuss your tentative plans with the People team well in advance so they can give you a clear understanding of what your location-adjusted compensation will be after relocation. While the calculations are consistent, the perceived change can vary based on the difference in cost-of-living index between your current and new location—both the direction and degree of change.

• Timing: Salary adjustments go into effect starting with the next monthly disbursement after your move.

• Temporary Stays: If you are traveling or moving temporarily (less than 6 months) and your tax residence doesn't change, you don't need to notify us, and your salary won't change.