The value of an unvested RSU is a very tricky thing. I had to try to value my potential RSU benefits when I got divorced. It's not the same as a stock option where even if you leave, you have an asset that you can still purchase at the contract price. RSUs are little more than a promise that at point in time X, company promises to release Y stocks to you. I'm pretty sure you could argue that RSUs have zero value until released to you.

RSUs are guaranteed money at big tech companies. I have never heard of any MAFANGs rescinding their RSUs. In fact, when shopping for a house in SV, my mortgage lender also took unvested RSUs in account when deciding how much to pre-approve me for.

I see. But for most people, when they look at their W-2 they will see the total cash they earned. So it is fair that people call that their salary.

I see. But for most people, when they look at their W-2 they will see the total cash they earned.

The stock could have gone down also. Total comp cannot take the upside of the stock.

You could have invested in the same stock and receive the same upside also. This is part of the luck in being in the right company or pick the right stock. That's why Total comp should be the number you got with the information you got at the time of the offer

Yes it can. I don't say my total comp in a given year was my salary and the target performance bonus. I say it was my salary and my actual bonus. Stock comp is much the same.