Tough question. At first, the short answer is likely nothing given that until someone else gives you cash there is no need to pay yourself and the government at the same time (taxes). Once you have some funding - investors generally want to see a management team hungry, i.e. working for big upside versus a good salary. I divided my previous salary in half and took that.  You can't take in salary what you don't have - so unless you've got sales revenue, you can't pay yourself. Be realistic.