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 and maintaining tenure can be more profitable than frequent job changes.


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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