The numbers are definitely high in absolute terms, though I would guess they are low in comparison to what these people could earn in the private sector. The founder-CEO of an investment firm the size of GiveWell would expect to have compensation in the millions.
I think we should be careful not to forget Dan Palotta’s advice. One of the appealing things about earning to give is that nobody will hassle you for making too much money.
After @RobertM’s comment below it seems i was wrong here and yes the GiveWell top team is pretty darn powerful thanks Robert (I just disagree voted myself which was fun!) I stand by the second paragraph 😊.
I would guess this might be true for a small proportion of these people, but i would personally guess that most of the top in 10 GiveWell employees would not be able to earn 200k plus very easily in the private sector.
We’re not “hassling anyone for making too much money” here, I don’t think anyone in this discussion begrudges any be GiveWell employee their salary. We’re just discussing whether it’s actually the best idea to have salaries this high in jobs like this, which is a complicated question.
I would guess this might be true for a small proportion of these people, but i would personally guess that most of the top in 10 GiveWell employees would not be able to earn 200k plus very easily in the private sector.
The CEO came from Bridgewater. Bridgewater pays entry-level analysts ~250k/year; someone with 20 years of experience in that career track is making 7-figures (if they competent but not particularly ambitious).
The Director of Development’s career history looks like they were doing more of the same before they joined Givewell, but they have a JD-equivalent. A competent mid-career lawyer is making much more than $330k/year, if they want to be (though laywer compensation is trimodal, so you could call this one a bit wibbly without more evidence).
Couldn’t find info.
Was previously a senior director of strategy at a small-mid sized tech company. If they weren’t making more there, they could have pretty easily hopped sideways to a larger tech company, been downleveled by 2 steps on the career ladder, and come out ahead on $$$.
Promoted internally. Comparable positions in the private sector pay more.
Early career in management consulting (at one of the big firms). That career path also hits 7-figures if you stick with it, though it’s a grind.
Spent most of their career in research roles at other NGOs. Least obvious case so far, but they have a PhD, so if they wanted to do something remunerative they probably could have.
Similar to #7.
Mid-career applied economist with math background. Would have been making $500k/year in industry if “trying at all”, at this level of experience, 7-figures if trying somewhat harder.
Another mid-career economist with a math background.
It does just tend to be the case that people are often taking pretty massive paycuts to work at non-profits, even ones that pay somewhat more than other non-profits.
Thanks I’ve updated my post i think i was wrong here. I think you’re a little optimistic with your 7 figures comments (earning a salary over a million dollars is no joke) but your point stands!
The numbers are definitely high in absolute terms, though I would guess they are low in comparison to what these people could earn in the private sector. The founder-CEO of an investment firm the size of GiveWell would expect to have compensation in the millions.
I think we should be careful not to forget Dan Palotta’s advice. One of the appealing things about earning to give is that nobody will hassle you for making too much money.
After @RobertM’s comment below it seems i was wrong here and yes the GiveWell top team is pretty darn powerful thanks Robert (I just disagree voted myself which was fun!) I stand by the second paragraph 😊.
I would guess this might be true for a small proportion of these people, but i would personally guess that most of the top in 10 GiveWell employees would not be able to earn 200k plus very easily in the private sector.We’re not “hassling anyone for making too much money” here, I don’t think anyone in this discussion begrudges any be GiveWell employee their salary. We’re just discussing whether it’s actually the best idea to have salaries this high in jobs like this, which is a complicated question.
The CEO came from Bridgewater. Bridgewater pays entry-level analysts ~250k/year; someone with 20 years of experience in that career track is making 7-figures (if they competent but not particularly ambitious).
The Director of Development’s career history looks like they were doing more of the same before they joined Givewell, but they have a JD-equivalent. A competent mid-career lawyer is making much more than $330k/year, if they want to be (though laywer compensation is trimodal, so you could call this one a bit wibbly without more evidence).
Couldn’t find info.
Was previously a senior director of strategy at a small-mid sized tech company. If they weren’t making more there, they could have pretty easily hopped sideways to a larger tech company, been downleveled by 2 steps on the career ladder, and come out ahead on $$$.
Promoted internally. Comparable positions in the private sector pay more.
Early career in management consulting (at one of the big firms). That career path also hits 7-figures if you stick with it, though it’s a grind.
Spent most of their career in research roles at other NGOs. Least obvious case so far, but they have a PhD, so if they wanted to do something remunerative they probably could have.
Similar to #7.
Mid-career applied economist with math background. Would have been making $500k/year in industry if “trying at all”, at this level of experience, 7-figures if trying somewhat harder.
Another mid-career economist with a math background.
It does just tend to be the case that people are often taking pretty massive paycuts to work at non-profits, even ones that pay somewhat more than other non-profits.
Thanks I’ve updated my post i think i was wrong here. I think you’re a little optimistic with your 7 figures comments (earning a salary over a million dollars is no joke) but your point stands!