I appreciate your reply, but I do see this as just a more detailed claim without evidence, other than referring to documents floating around. I understand publicly available data is hard to come but, but this also just doesn't square with the few data points I have, for senior devs at google (albeit a couple years ago).

I suppose some of this may turn on what you mean by "rather quickly" for compensation in excess of $400k a year (let alone $600k/yr, which seems very high). I can't say you're wrong, because I don't have evidence... but that's the problem here, I don't have any evidence to believe you either. You're claiming everyone is failing to realize something, but in the absence of credible and available data.

Just give me something here. I can be convinced by evidence, but references to documents "floating around" just isn't enough for me, as it contradict my direct conversations with google employees, though my conversations are limited, slightly old, and personal information may be unreliable.

$250k, sure, that squares with what I've heard.

I feel comfortable speaking anecdotally but I don't feel comfortable formally doing the math here for reasons that I prefer not to disclose. I appreciate your desire for more details on my claim but I cannot provide it.

$250K is accurate assuming zero/normal stock appreciation. Assume half that is in equity compensation with a 38% (for FB) growth rate on a 4 year schedule and determine what the figures get to.