Microsoft Survey: 65% of Employees Say Working Here Is a Good Deal

An internal Microsoft survey conducted in October revealed that 65% of employees believe working at the company represents a “good deal,” indicating strong employee satisfaction with compensation and work-life balance. The results, which became public through Business Insider, show a modest three-percentage-point increase from the previous survey conducted in February 2024. The “Employee Signals” survey specifically asks employees if they perceive reasonable balance between their contributions to Microsoft and their compensation packages.

Strong Pay and Performance-Based Raises

Microsoft takes employee feedback seriously, having responded to previous survey dissatisfaction by raising base pay company-wide in 2022. The average base salary at Microsoft is $130,000 annually with bonuses averaging $14,000. Software engineers earn notably higher amounts, with a median pay of $205,000 according to Glassdoor data, while product managers average $165,000 with bonuses up to $30,000. After a salary freeze in 2023, the company restarted performance-based raises in 2024.

Strategic Investment in Employee Retention

The company’s commitment to addressing employee concerns reflects broader competition for tech talent. While Microsoft conducted workforce reductions—cutting 10,000 jobs in 2023 and laying off approximately 2,000 workers more recently—the improved survey results suggest remaining employees feel valued. With 228,000 employees as of June 2024, Microsoft’s compensation packages remain competitive compared to rivals like Meta, where median pay reaches $379,000 annually. The survey results demonstrate Microsoft’s strategic approach to balancing operational efficiency with employee retention through competitive compensation.