A founder's salary should strike a balance between maximising their ability to work on their startup and minimising the startup's burn rate. Distractions like spending time finding somewhere cheaper to live, trying to decide whether you can afford something, or having arguments about money with a spouse reduce the likelihood of the startup succeeding so the founder needs enough for those problems to just go away. That means paying yourself enough for them not to be an issue any more. Equally though, paying yourself so much that the startup's capital will only last 6 months is stupid if you're a year from getting to market. You have to be sensible.
What you could earn elsewhere, what you earn compared to your co-founders, etc are just unnecessary distractions. The startup and the future value you're building are the only things that matter at this early stage.
What you could earn elsewhere, what you earn compared to your co-founders, etc are just unnecessary distractions. The startup and the future value you're building are the only things that matter at this early stage.