Compensation Structure | Automation Team Handbook

How Pay Works

The compensation model combines a guaranteed base retainer with per-build bonuses. The base covers your first 2 automations each month. Everything beyond that earns additional bonus pay.

Compensation Components

Component	Amount	Conditions
Base Retainer	$1,000/mo (starting)	Covers first 2 completed automations. Increases quarterly.
Standard Build Bonus	$500 per automation	Net-new automation; passes acceptance checklist
Lite Build Bonus	$200 per automation	Smaller-scope; passes acceptance checklist
Lite Volume Bonus	$200 kicker	5+ lite builds accepted in a single month
Master Bonus	$500 per pitch	Contractor-initiated automation: pitched, approved, built, accepted
First-Pass Bonus	$75 per automation	Passes checklist on first submission, zero revisions

Earnings Scenarios

Total monthly compensation across different output mixes. Base retainer covers first 2 automations of either tier.

Scenario	Std	Lite	Base	Std Bonus	Lite Bonus	Total
Minimum	2	0	$1,000	$0	$0	$1,000
Lite-heavy	2	6	$1,000	$0	$1,200	$2,200
Balanced	4	2	$1,000	$1,000	$400	$2,400
Target floor (6)	4	2	$1,000	$1,000	$400	$2,400
Target ceiling (8)	6	2	$1,000	$2,000	$400	$3,400
All-standard (8)	8	0	$1,000	$3,000	$0	$4,000
+ 1 Master pitch	4	2	$1,000	$1,000	$400+$500	$2,900
Perfect month	4	2	$1,000	$1,000	$400+$450	$2,850
SLA fail	4	2	$1,000	$800	$320	$2,120

Annualized range at full performance: $24,000–$48,000+ depending on build mix and Master Bonus pitches. The ceiling is in the contractor's hands.

Base Retainer Growth

The base retainer increases automatically every 3 months for the first 2 years. No negotiation required.

Period	Base Retainer	Quarterly Raise
Months 1-3	$1,000/mo	—
Months 4-6	$1,175/mo	+$175
Months 7-9	$1,350/mo	+$175
Months 10-12	$1,525/mo	+$175
Months 13-15	$1,800/mo	+$275
Months 16-18	$2,075/mo	+$275
Months 19-21	$2,350/mo	+$275
Months 22-24	$2,625/mo	+$275
Month 25+	$2,625/mo	Frozen

By month 25, the base retainer alone is $2,625/month ($31,500/year) before any build bonuses, stipends, or incentives. This progression is automatic and rewards showing up consistently.