How do I best negotiate given my situation?

Part 2

During the talk, he was saying he “wants to keep employees happy, and a big part of that is with good salaries”, as well as “honest pay for honest work”, and “the sky is the limit for you”. So I thought once I get full time, I could get a really good salary. Then, he also used phrases like “promotion is just a title”, referenced a lot about the great PTO and the ability to live a stable life with this company, and said “we hope you stay with us”. So I didn’t know if he was hinting that they don’t pay much compared to other places. I also don’t know how much equity this company offers yet.

To me it looks like I have leverage. The company has every data point to know I’m a valuable asset in a cash cow of the company, who can offer even more. But there’s not many data points about salary or equity visible to me, especially for someone at my level. The few data points I’ve seen look very weird online. Some say as low as 85k. Others say as high as 145k. Perhaps just because I’m looking at different states? Either way, I want to figure out mine, and how to get equity. After a few days of thinking about it, I think I'm content with the money I'm paid right now, so if I can get some equity with my current salary being the same, I would appreciate the heck out of that. But I'd certainly like the highest offer possible.

I do like a big salary, but I appreciate the opportunity to grow with great people who respect me the most. On top of that - the tech conference I mentioned, this company said they would reimburse me for expenses to conventions like that as long as I ask them beforehand. They’re investing in ME. That shows me a LOT of respect and trust, which is the most important thing to me. I think I’m gonna aim for the salary of a mid level at the company, but the maximum portion of that. But I also don’t wanna ask for something astronomically too high that would make them give up on me, either. The companies I worked at in the beginning of my career gave me starting salaries under 80k. They also just played off the return offers with flashy amenities in the office.

The people here are very honest and very respectful, and I just want to make sure I have all the information to get the best salary I can get while I maintain that respect for them. What is everyone's advice for how I can achieve the best return offer possible so I can remain happy, helpful, and hungry in my role?

I appreciate anyone other than Alex and Rahul who are willing to read all this. Something I learned from the negotiation course on Taro - it's kind of like making an ice cream sundae. The salary and equity are the ice cream, the sign on bonus is the cherry, the health insurance and PTO is whatever caramel or chocolate sauce you like, amenities in the office are sprinkles. The ice cream is the important part, so you have to add that as a base. The sauce adds more flavor. You have a cherry on top because you don't make a sundae by putting the cherry first. And, the sprinkles are pointless. Feel free to sprinkle that analogy in your future talks about negotiation. Appreciate y'all!

Evan