Microsoft Pay Leak Exposes Wide Range of Employee Compensation

A recently leaked Microsoft spreadsheet has revealed the wide range of compensation for nearly 600 employees across different levels and divisions. The data, reported by Business Insider, includes base salaries, raises, cash bonuses, and stock awards, offering a rare glimpse into how the tech giant pays its workers.

The employee-reported figures show just how widely compensation can vary within Microsoft. Companywide base salaries range from $111,000 for level 59 employees to $280,000 at level 67, while cash bonuses can reach nearly $110,000 and stock awards can climb to $300,000 at the highest levels.

The biggest numbers appear in Microsoft's AI and cloud operations. Employees in the Cloud + AI organization reported base salaries ranging from $111,000 to as much as $450,000, while stock awards reportedly reached $1.4 million. Cash bonuses in the division ranged as high as $300,000.

The figures highlight the premium Microsoft appears to place on employees working in some of its most strategically important businesses, particularly as technology companies compete to recruit and retain AI specialists.