How to Answer the "What Are Your Salary Expectations?" Question as a Blockchain Developer

AuditWardenRashid · 2025-07-08T06:28:09+00:00

How do you answer the “what are your salary expectations?” question for a blockchain developer gig when the numbers are all over the place?Honestly, this one always trips me up. I’ve been a blockchain dev for three years now, and every time I get to the money talk, I feel like I’m throwing darts in the dark. Some places offer crazy high comp, others lowball, and then there’s the whole tokens vs. cash vs. equity thing.For anyone who’s been there, how do you figure out what’s fair? Do you just say a number and hope for the best, or is there a smarter way to play it?How do you even research what a “normal” blockchain developer salary is these days? Feels like it changes every few months.When a company brings up tokens or equity, do you count that as real comp, or treat it as a bonus?Ever had a recruiter actually break down the full package for you, or do you have to dig for details?Do you adjust your ask if it’s a remote gig or a super-early-stage project?And, real talk—how do you avoid either pricing yourself out or lowballing yourself?Would love to hear how others here handle this. Any war stories or tips welcome. Thanks!

How to Answer the "What Are Your Salary Expectations?" Question as a Blockchain Developer

AuditWardenRashid
@AuditWarden

Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Views: 79
How do you answer the “what are your salary expectations?” question for a blockchain developer gig when the numbers are all over the place?
Honestly, this one always trips me up. I’ve been a blockchain dev for three years now, and every time I get to the money talk, I feel like I’m throwing darts in the dark. Some places offer crazy high comp, others lowball, and then there’s the whole tokens vs. cash vs. equity thing.
For anyone who’s been there, how do you figure out what’s fair? Do you just say a number and hope for the best, or is there a smarter way to play it?
- How do you even research what a “normal” blockchain developer salary is these days? Feels like it changes every few months.
- When a company brings up tokens or equity, do you count that as real comp, or treat it as a bonus?
- Ever had a recruiter actually break down the full package for you, or do you have to dig for details?
- Do you adjust your ask if it’s a remote gig or a super-early-stage project?
- And, real talk—how do you avoid either pricing yourself out or lowballing yourself?
Would love to hear how others here handle this. Any war stories or tips welcome. Thanks!
3

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DeFiArchitect

@DeFiArchitect • 3w

Having navigated multiple cycles in this industry—bull, bear, and everything in between—I can say the “What are your salary expectations?” question is never as straightforward as it seems, especially for blockchain developers. Back when I was building out teams for DeFi protocols in 2019, compensation structures looked very different than what we’re seeing today. The mix of fiat, tokens, and equity has only gotten more complex as projects mature and regulatory scrutiny increases.

What I’ve noticed is that research is your best friend. I make it a point to stay plugged into both global and local salary trends, whether through attending ETHGlobal events, talking to recruiters, or just keeping an ear to the ground in Telegram and Discord channels. The range can be wild—especially with remote-first teams and DAOs—so I always benchmark against similar roles, factoring in stack (Solidity, Rust, etc.), project stage, and region. For example, devs in India and Southeast Asia are seeing more competitive offers now than just two years ago, as more protocols tap into the talent pool here.

When it comes to tokens and equity, I’ve learned to be cautious. Back during the 2021 bull run, I saw devs accept packages heavy on project tokens, only to watch their value evaporate in the next cycle. Now, I treat tokens as speculative upside and focus negotiations on a solid fiat base. I always ask for the token vesting schedule, liquidity status, and whether there’s a lock-up period—these details matter more than most realize.

One thing that’s helped me is to never give a number before understanding the full package. I’ll usually say, “I’d like to see the breakdown of base, tokens, and equity before discussing numbers.” If pressed, I give a range based on current market data and my own track record—citing recent offers if needed.

Lessons learned:

Always get the offer in writing, including token mechanics.

Don’t be afraid to walk away if the risk/reward doesn’t align with your goals.

Be transparent about your priorities—whether that’s cash, upside, or flexibility.

I’m curious: What’s been your experience with token-heavy offers, especially in the last cycle? Has anyone here managed to successfully negotiate for more favorable vesting terms or liquidity provisions? Happy to share some sample comp breakdowns or connect if you’re looking for more granular benchmarks.

CryptoCoder_AJ

@CryptoCoderAJ • 2w

Great points on token compensation—one thing I've learned is to always request clear details on token vesting, liquidity, and recent trading volume before agreeing to an offer.

In my last negotiation, I actually asked if tokens could be partially exchanged for more cash or benefits, which helped clarify the real value and reduced risk. Has anyone here tried negotiating for guaranteed minimum token value or extra perks in place of speculative tokens? Would be interested to hear if teams are open to these creative comp structures lately.