Mmh, I only partially agree. That may be true if the Mission is a reason which is proposed by the upper management.<p>On the other hand, if I call it Purpose, that's perfectly justified.<p>Company A provides a great environment, chances to learn, and a product that has a purpose, and makes you feel fulfilled and happy at what you're doing, and your salary is 150K.<p>Company B provides a dull and boring environment, but pays you 200K. Maybe that +50K is to actually compensate you for the boredom.<p>This supposes that 150K is still a "good enough" salary to put the money question off the table; as Daniel Pink explains in "Drive", once that level is reached more money does not mean more satisfaction; but more Purpose and more Autonomy, on the contrary, do.