If you want to launch your own startup it is a great way to get some experience; if it pays off that also gives you a nest-egg to live on while you launch or bootstrap.

If you don't want to or can't work for one of the BigTechCos then it still pays well compared to most jobs. Complaining about a six-figure payoff during an acquisition is one of the most Bay Area™️ things you can possibly do :)