Protocol Guild Survey: Ethereum Core Developers’ Median Salary $140K — Job Offers Median $300K

The Protocol Guild survey reports that Ethereum core developers have a median annual salary of $140,000, based on responses from 111 participants and an estimated cohort of 200–300 core contributors. The data underscores compensation realities within the team responsible for maintaining the Ethereum protocol.

Only 37% of respondents indicated receipt of equity or token incentives, a notable gap versus broader tech compensation practices. By comparison, Protocol Guild cites Coinbase entry-level packages at roughly $150,000 base plus $56,000 in stock and bonuses, while the Ethereum Foundation held over $970 million in assets as of last October.

Recruiting dynamics remain active: 38% reported receiving job offers—primarily from layer‑2 projects—with a median salary offer of $300,000. Protocol Guild also reports distributing over $33 million in donated tokens since 2022 to supplement developer compensation.