Deepdive: What YC Startups Are Looking For and Paying in 2024

by
Jared Flamm
September 1, 2024

What YC Startups are Looking For and Paying in 2024

We took a detailed look at the 59 YC companies currently hiring marketers to gain insights into the early-stage startup scene. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what we found:

As we dive into 2024, the hiring landscape for marketers at YC-backed startups is revealing some interesting trends. We took a close look at 59 startups currently hiring marketers as a proxy for the early-stage scene. Spoiler alert: generalists take the cake 🎂

Roles in Demand

Here's a breakdown of the most sought-after marketing roles at these startups. The data shows a clear demand for leadership positions and roles focused on growth and performance.

From this, it’s clear that YC startups are heavily focused on growth-oriented roles, with an emphasis on performance marketing and content creation. Leadership roles like Head of Marketing are also in high demand, signaling that these companies are looking for strategic thinkers who can guide the marketing function.

Compensation Trends

When it comes to salaries, YC startups are offering a wide range, but there’s a noticeable lean towards the lower end due to the early-stage nature of these companies. As expected, compensation is often complemented by equity, making these roles potentially lucrative as the companies grow.

Salary breakdown for the 59 companies actively hiring on YC's website. Not this skews towards early stage companies.

Equity Offering

Offering equity is a standard practice among these startups, with 85% of roles including equity as part of the compensation package. This aligns with the early-stage nature of these companies, where equity is a key component of attracting talent.

Company Stage and Hiring Trends

The majority of companies hiring for these marketing roles are in the early stages of growth, primarily Seed and Series A. These companies tend to offer lower base salaries but compensate with generous equity packages, allowing marketers to have a more significant ownership stake in the company’s success.

This skew toward early-stage hiring reflects the high demand for flexible, multi-skilled marketers who can drive growth across multiple channels with smaller budgets. If you're looking to explore opportunities, check out available positions in the U.S. at YC companies here.

Final Thoughts

YC-backed startups are on the lookout for marketers who can wear many hats, especially in growth and leadership roles. While the base salaries may lean towards the lower end due to the early-stage focus, the potential upside from equity makes these opportunities worth considering. As these companies scale, so too could the value of your compensation package.

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