How Much Google ACTUALLY Pays Their Software Engineers | My Real Six Figure Tech Salary

Summary

In this informative video, the creator shares their journey as a software engineer at Google, revealing the substantial compensation package that includes base salary, bonuses, and equity. Highlighting their personal experience of earning over $1 million in just five years, they break down compensation levels for various roles and locations, offering insights into Google's pay structure and the potential for significant financial growth in the tech industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Getting a job offer from Google felt like a dream come true, as it validated all the hard work.
• 💰 Google software engineers earn significant salaries, with compensation varying by location and level.
• 📈 Entry-level software engineers (L3) at Google have an average total compensation of $196,000.
• 🔄 Mid-level software engineers (L4) earn around $281,000 annually, while senior engineers (L5) make about $374,000.
• 🌟 Principal software engineers (L8) can make over $1 million per year.
• 📊 Total compensation at Google includes base salary, bonuses, and equity (GSUs), not just the salary.
• 💵 Base salary is paid in cash, distributed evenly across 24 paychecks per year.
• 💼 Bonuses include sign-on bonuses, relocation bonuses, performance bonuses, and peer recognition bonuses.
• 📈 Equity is given as Google Stock Units (GSUs) and vests over time, contributing significantly to total compensation.
• 📈 Google's stock performance can greatly enhance the value of equity compensation, driving up total earnings.

Q & A

What was the initial reaction of the speaker upon receiving their offer from Google?

The speaker felt like it was a dream come true, as it signified that all their hard work had finally paid off.

What is the main purpose of the video according to the speaker?

The main purpose of the video is to inform viewers about the compensation of software engineers at Google, inspire others by showing the potential earnings in this role, and to provide clarity on total compensation which the speaker initially found confusing.

How much is the base salary for an entry-level software engineer (Level 3) at Google according to the data from levels.fyi?

The base salary for an entry-level software engineer at Google is $139,000.

What are the three components of total compensation at Google?

The three components of total compensation at Google are base salary, bonus, and equity.

What is the average total compensation for a Level 4 (mid-level) software engineer at Google?

The average total compensation for a Level 4 software engineer at Google is $281,000.

How does the speaker describe their career progression at Google that contributed to earning over 1 million dollars?

The speaker joined Google as an entry-level engineer (L3), got promoted to mid-level (L4) after one and a half years, and has consistently received high performance reviews, which contributed to their total compensation increasing over the years.

What is the significance of equity in the total compensation package at Google?

Equity, in the form of restricted stock units or RSUs, can significantly increase an employee's total compensation, especially if the value of Google's stock increases over time.

How does the speaker explain the vesting schedule of equity grants at Google?

Equity grants at Google are typically vested over four years, with a certain number of stocks vesting each year. The value of these stocks can increase if the price of Google's stock goes up, which can result in higher payouts when the stocks vest.

What is the average total compensation for a Level 5 software engineer at Google?

The average total compensation for a Level 5 software engineer at Google is $374,000 per year.

What advice does the speaker give to those who want to work at Google?

The speaker advises to apply as soon as possible, emphasizing the potential earnings and career growth opportunities at Google.

How does the speaker address the issue of pay discrimination in the tech industry?

The speaker encourages salary transparency by sharing compensation figures on platforms like levels.fyi, which helps ensure fair pay for all employees.