Leaked spreadsheet reveals Microsoft's internal pay bands across job levels
A leaked spreadsheet obtained by Business Insider compiled self-reported salary data from about 600 Microsoft employees, revealing wide pay ranges by job level. Entry-level engineers reported base pay between $111,000 and $155,500, while senior levels reached up to $245,000 in base salary, and principal or director roles topped out around $280,000 with bonuses as high as $110,000.
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The leak offers a rare, if partial, glimpse into how one of the world's most valuable tech companies structures compensation across its notoriously opaque leveling system. It also highlights the growing gap between big tech pay and the broader US median income, fueling ongoing debate over wage disparities in the industry.
- Data came from roughly 600 voluntary submissions out of Microsoft's 220,000+ workforce.
- Entry-level engineers can earn base salaries from $111,000 to $155,500, plus bonuses up to $25,000.
- Senior and director-level employees reported base pay up to $280,000 with bonuses reaching $110,000.
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Published there as: “Huge Leak Shows Microsoft Salaries That’ll Make You Jump Out the Window”
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