Global Pay Gets a Makeover: Stablecoins Power Crypto Salary Boom
Crypto salaries have tripled in 2024, with stablecoins like USDC and USDT leading the surge, according to a Pantera Capital Blockchain Compensation Survey.
Based on over 1,600 responses across 77 countries, the report finds that 9.6% of crypto professionals received crypto-based compensation in 2024, up from 3% in 2023.
The increase is a sign of the growing trust and dependence on blockchain payment systems, as well as the general acceptance and adoption of digital currencies in financial dealings.
Why Stablecoins Are the New Payroll Favorites
The Pantera survey reports that 9.6% of employees in the cryptocurrency sector were being compensated in cryptocurrencies as of 2024, a threefold increase from 3% in 2023.
Stablecoins dominate the list, with Circle’s USDC accounting for 63% of crypto salaries and Tether’s USDT accounting for 28.6%, collectively representing over 90% of such payments.
USDC and USDT Payroll Percentage (Source: Pantera)
The reason is stability, pegged to the US dollar, which reduces the risk of volatility to employees compared to assets such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.
2024 Payroll Structure (Source: Pantera)
The stablecoin market cap stands at $268.6 billion, according to data from DeFiLlama, supporting their use in payroll applications.
Stablecoin Market Cap Growth (Source: DeFiLlama)
A Pantera Capital representative posted on X, “Stablecoins are transforming payrolls by enabling efficient, low-cost cross-border transactions.”
Regulatory developments, including Circle’s 2024 US banking license application and the July 2025 signing of the GENIUS Act, further boost confidence in stablecoin adoption.
Token-based compensation structures also changed, with 88% of packages now tied to four-year vesting periods, up from 64% in 2023. This change is in line with employee incentives and long-term company goals, leveraging blockchain’s transparency similar to traditional equity structure.
Engineers and Experts Cash In on Crypto’s Rise
The survey reveals the strong demand for blockchain expertise, with median salaries varying by education level: $286,039 for bachelor’s degree holders, $214,359 for master’s, and $226,858 for doctorates.
Educational Levels (Source: Pantera)
Engineering roles saw high salary increases in 2024, with junior engineers earning a median of $148,021, mid-level engineers $176,000, and senior engineers $202,500. These figures show a general increase in compensation, especially for entry-level roles.
Gender pay dynamics are also favored in some industries. Women in Marketing, Operations, and Business Development earn higher median salaries than men, with US-based full-time female employees earning 14% more, perhaps due to greater experience or leadership roles.
However, there are still gaps in Engineering and Executive positions, due to diversity challenges in technical roles. The survey also notes a declining compensation premium for MBAs in Web3, which is a result of the prioritization of practical skills over formal business education.
In-office work among crypto professionals rose to 6% in 2024 from 1.5% in 2023, in line with a general return-to-office trend.
2024 Work Style (Source: Pantera)
Stablecoins and Regulations Drive Blockchain Growth
The tripling of crypto salaries is an indicator of a maturing blockchain sector, with stablecoins allowing faster, cheaper cross-border payments, especially for globally distributed teams.
Regulatory clarity, aided by the signing of the GENIUS Act, also supports this growth, though market volatility and regulatory uncertainties remain challenges.
