Microsoft salary packages leaked: From entry-level to multi-million dollar paychecks; here's how much tech giants pay

A leaked Microsoft compensation chart for 2025 reveals how software engineers can achieve long-term wealth by staying with the company. The data details base salary, stock grants, and bonuses, showing that employees who advance from entry-level roles to top technical positions can earn over $2.7 million annually. Over a 30-year career, this progression could result in a net worth of $13 million, assuming steady investment and saving habits. The figures, shared by tech insider Deedy Das on X (formerly Twitter), emphasise that career consistency, equity growth, and stock vesting can rival or even exceed the returns of frequent job-hopping strategies, highlighting the financial benefits of tenure and loyalty in big tech careers.


Microsoft salary structure : Stock grants, equity growth across levels and more

The compensation structure is divided into levels (L57 to L70), representing roles from entry-level engineers to Distinguished Engineers and Technical Fellows. The data shows:

• Level 57 engineers earn a total compensation of $186,000, including salary, stock, and bonuses.
• Level 70 engineers can earn $2.7 million annually, largely driven by $1.5 million in stock grants.
• Notably, from Level 63 onwards, stock compensation exceeds base salary, meaning long-term employees benefit significantly from equity growth.

Microsoft just leaked their official compensation bands for engineers.

We often forget that you can be a stable high-performing engineer with
great work-life balance, be a BigTech lifer and comfortably retire with a net worth of ~$15M! pic.twitter.com/XL64X3pHUc

— Deedy (@deedydas) July 31, 2025

30-year wealth model for Microsoft engineers

The chart includes a modeled 30-year financial journey assuming:

• 10% annual investment return
• 30% savings rate
• steady progression from Level 57 to Level 70

Under these assumptions, a Microsoft engineer could accumulate $13 million in net worth, with total gross earnings of $23.1 million and $8.8 million from investment growth alone. This model does not account for executive transitions but highlights how retaining stock, maintaining tenure, and leveraging long-term equity incentives can be more profitable than frequent job changes, optimizing financial security and wealth accumulation strategies for career-driven professionals.



Microsoft salary model leaked





Level 57 – Entry Level (0–2 Years)

• Base Salary: $94,000 – $123,000
• Signing Bonus: $10,000 – $30,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $50,000 – $150,000
• Annual Stock Grant: $25,000 – $80,000

Role: Software Engineer I


Level 58 – Early Career

• Base Salary: $110,000 – $140,000
• Signing Bonus: $15,000 – $40,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $80,000 – $200,000
• Annual Stock Grant: $40,000 – $110,000

Role: Software Engineer II


Level 59 – Pre-Senior Engineer

• Base Salary: $121,000 – $150,000
• Signing Bonus: $15,000 – $50,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $100,000 – $250,000
• Annual Stock Grant: $60,000 – $140,000

Role: Software Engineer II


Level 60 – Mid-Level Engineer

• Base Salary: $130,000 – $160,000
• Signing Bonus: $20,000 – $60,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $120,000 – $300,000
• Annual Stock Grant: $80,000 – $160,000

Role: Software Engineer


Level 61 – Experienced Mid-Level

• Base Salary: $138,000 – $170,000
• Signing Bonus: $25,000 – $65,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $150,000 – $350,000
• Annual Stock Grant: $100,000 – $180,000

Role: Engineering Lead


Level 62 – Senior Engineer

Base Salary: $145,000 – $185,000
Signing Bonus: $30,000 – $75,000
On-Hire Stock Award: $180,000 – $400,000
Annual Stock Grant: $120,000 – $220,000

Role: Senior Software Engineer


Level 63 – Senior Engineer II

Base Salary: $150,000 – $200,000
Signing Bonus: $30,000 – $80,000
On-Hire Stock Award: $200,000 – $500,000
Annual Stock Grant: $140,000 – $260,000

Role: Senior Software Engineer / Architect


Level 64 – Staff Engineer

• Base Salary: $160,000 – $220,000
• Signing Bonus: $35,000 – $90,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $250,000 – $600,000
• Annual Stock Grant: $160,000 – $300,000

Role: Lead Engineer


Level 65 – Principal Engineer (Entry)

• Base Salary: $172,800 – $282,000
• Signing Bonus: $50,000 – $100,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $300,000 – $800,000
• Annual Stock Grant: $180,000 – $320,000

Role: Principal Software Engineer


Level 66 – Principal Engineer II

• Base Salary: $190,000 – $300,000
• Signing Bonus: $50,000 – $120,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $400,000 – $1 million
• Annual Stock Grant: $200,000 – $400,000

Role: Architect / Tech Strategy


Level 67 – Partner-Level IC

• Base Salary: $200,000 – $330,000
• Signing Bonus: $60,000 – $150,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $500,000 – $1.2 million
• Annual Stock Grant: $250,000 – $550,000

Role: Distinguished Engineer


Level 68 – Partner / Distinguished Engineer II

• Base Salary: $220,000 – $370,000
• Signing Bonus: $75,000 – $200,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $750,000 – $1.5 million
• Annual Stock Grant: $350,000 – $800,000

Role: AI/ML Lead


Level 69 – Partner II / Technical Fellow

• Base Salary: $250,000 – $390,000
• Signing Bonus: $100,000 – $250,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $1 million – $1.7 million
• Annual Stock Grant: $500,000 – $1.1 million

Role: Senior AI Leader


Level 70 – Distinguished Engineer / Technical Fellow (Highest)

• Base Salary: $300,000 – $408,000
• Signing Bonus: $150,000 – $300,000
• On-Hire Stock Award: $1.2 million – $1.9 million
• Annual Stock Grant: $600,000 – $1.47 million

Role: CTO-level Engineer, Azure Architect





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