diff --git a/text/0050-fellowship-salaries.md b/text/0050-fellowship-salaries.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..bba352371 --- /dev/null +++ b/text/0050-fellowship-salaries.md @@ -0,0 +1,139 @@ +# RFC-0050: Fellowship Salaries + +| | | +| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | +| **Start Date** | 15 November 2023 | +| **Description** | Proposal to set rank-based Fellowship salary levels. | +| **Authors** | Joe Petrowski, Gavin Wood | + +## Summary + +The Fellowship Manifesto states that members should receive a monthly allowance on par with gross +income in OECD countries. This RFC proposes concrete amounts. + +## Motivation + +One motivation for the Technical Fellowship is to provide an incentive mechanism that can induct and +retain technical talent for the continued progress of the network. + +In order for members to uphold their commitment to the network, they should receive support to +ensure that their needs are met such that they have the time to dedicate to their work on Polkadot. +Given the high expectations of Fellows, it is reasonable to consider contributions and requirements +on par with a full-time job. Providing a livable wage to those making such contributions makes it +pragmatic to work full-time on Polkadot. + +Note: Goals of the Fellowship, expectations for each Dan, and conditions for promotion and demotion +are all explained in the Manifesto. This RFC is only to propose concrete values for allowances. + +## Stakeholders + +- Fellowship members +- Polkadot Treasury + +## Explanation + +This RFC proposes agreeing on salaries relative to a single level, the III Dan. As such, changes to +the amount or asset used would only be on a single value, and all others would adjust relatively. A +III Dan is someone whose contributions match the expectations of a full-time individual contributor. +The salary at this level should be reasonably close to averages in OECD countries. + +| Dan | Factor | +|:----:|:------:| +| I | 0.125 | +| II | 0.25 | +| III | 1 | +| IV | 1.5 | +| V | 2.0 | +| VI | 2.5 | +| VII | 2.5 | +| VIII | 2.5 | +| IX | 2.5 | + +Note that there is a sizable increase between II Dan (Proficient) and III Dan (Fellow). By the third +Dan, it is generally expected that one is working on Polkadot as their primary focus in a full-time +capacity. + +### Salary Asset + +Although the Manifesto (Section 8) specifies a monthly allowance in DOT, this RFC proposes the use +of USDT instead. The allowance is meant to provide members stability in meeting their day-to-day +needs and recognize contributions. Using USDT provides more stability and less speculation. + +This RFC proposes that a III Dan earn 80,000 USDT per year. The salary at this level is commensurate +with average salaries in OECD countries (note: 77,000 USD in the U.S., with an average engineer at +100,000 USD). The other ranks would thus earn: + +| Dan | Annual Salary | +|:----:|:-------------:| +| I | 10,000 | +| II | 20,000 | +| III | 80,000 | +| IV | 120,000 | +| V | 160,000 | +| VI | 200,000 | +| VII | 200,000 | +| VIII | 200,000 | +| IX | 200,000 | + +The salary levels for Architects (IV, V, and VI Dan) are typical of senior engineers. + +Allowances will be managed by the Salary pallet. + +### Projections + +Based on the current membership, the maximum yearly and monthly costs are shown below: + +| Dan | Salary | Members | Yearly | Monthly | +|:-----:|:-------:|:-------:| ---------:| -------:| +| I | 10,000 | 27 | 270,000 | 22,500 | +| II | 20,000 | 11 | 220,000 | 18,333 | +| III | 80,000 | 8 | 640,000 | 53,333 | +| IV | 120,000 | 3 | 360,000 | 30,000 | +| V | 160,000 | 5 | 800,000 | 66,667 | +| VI | 200,000 | 3 | 600,000 | 50,000 | +| > VI | 200,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +| | | | | | +| Total | | | 2,890,000 | 240,833 | + +Note that these are the maximum amounts; members may choose to take a passive (lower) level. On the +other hand, more people will likely join the Fellowship in the coming years. + +### Updates + +Updates to these levels, whether relative ratios, the asset used, or the amount, shall be done via +RFC. + +## Drawbacks + +By not using DOT for payment, the protocol relies on the stability of other assets and the ability +to acquire them. However, the asset of choice can be changed in the future. + +## Testing, Security, and Privacy + +N/A. + +## Performance, Ergonomics, and Compatibility + +### Performance + +N/A + +### Ergonomics + +N/A + +### Compatibility + +N/A + +## Prior Art and References + +- [The Polkadot Fellowship + Manifesto](https://github.com/polkadot-fellows/manifesto/blob/5e01eef15eded63f1db9be808b0f7c11bb9f4a12/manifesto.pdf) +- [OECD Average Wages](https://data.oecd.org/earnwage/average-wages.htm#indicator-chart) +- [Indeed: Average Salary for Engineers, United + States](https://www.indeed.com/career/engineer/salaries) + +## Unresolved Questions + +None at present.