10. Brocade Communications Systems
New hires helped clean up a local park.
Average total pay: $170,175
For: Software Engineer*Best companies rank: 61
Civic-minded employees can pay it forward at this Silicon Valley high-tech outfit: They can take up to five paid days off a year to work at a nonprofit (until last year, the maximum was one day off a year). Those who prefer to donate money can get their charitable contributions matched dollar for dollar up to $20,000.
The company -- it makes devices that connect servers with storage centers --- sets base pay at or above the industry median, and then piles on generous bonuses linked to performance. When they're hired, employees receive restricted stock units. Then they're awarded more units each year -- the better Brocade's doing, the more it gives out. Employees can also buy Brocade stock at a 15% discount.
NEXT: Adobe Systems
Last updated January 26 2010: 11:14 AM ET
*Most common salaried job
