← Remote Work Glossary

Signing Bonus

A one-time payment offered to a candidate as an incentive to accept a job offer.

A signing bonus is a lump sum paid when you join, used to sweeten an offer, offset something you're leaving behind (like unvested equity), or win a competitive candidate. It is separate from your base salary and usually paid in the first months.

Watch for clawback clauses that require you to repay it if you leave within a year or two. Treat it as a nice one-off, not as ongoing compensation, when comparing offers.