HACKER Q&A
📣 sagivo

Starting a remote-first company, how should I pay people?


Hello there, I'm starting a new developer tools company - LibLab.com

The company will be remote-first as I don't think people need to sit next to me to be productive. Talent is everywhere and I want to hire people wherever they want to live.

One issue I still have is around the pay structure. I have two options - pay local rates or pay same salary no matter where people are. Here are some pros and cons I have so far:

Similar pay cross locations:

+ Pay based on value you bring to the company.

+ Equality, similar base line.

- Will be able to attract less people in hire cost of living areas.

Pay based on location:

+ Will be able to attract talent in expensive markets.

- Will be hard to keep track on local wages.

- Where people choose to live does not relevant to their output, hence pay.

I would love to get your thoughts and I ideas how I should pay remote employees!