Google salaries revealed: This is how much Google pays software engineers, product managers, and others
Google software engineers can earn up to $340,000 annually as the tech giant competes aggressively for top talent amid the ongoing AI boom, according to new federal work-visa data analysed by Business Insider. The search company’s compensation packages reflect the intense competition for skilled workers in artificial intelligence and related fields.
Research scientists and product managers get premium salaries across all disciplines at Google
Federal filings, as seen by Business Insider, reveal that Google’s highest-paid roles span multiple disciplines, with research scientists earning as much as $303,000 and senior software engineers commanding up to $253,000. Product managers can receive salaries reaching $280,000, while technical program managers earn up to $270,000. The figures, derived from Labor Department visa applications for foreign workers, represent base salaries only and don’t include equity compensation or bonuses that Google employees typically receive.
Google doubles down on performance-based pay
The salary data comes as Google has intensified its focus on performance-based compensation. In April, the company changed its employee ranking system for yearly reviews, with executives telling staff that “high performance is more important than ever,” Business Insider previously reported. This shift mirrors similar moves by other tech giants like Meta and Microsoft to eliminate underperforming employees.
Waymo engineers and UX designers also score high-paying roles at Google
Google’s compensation strategy extends beyond traditional software roles. The company’s Waymo autonomous vehicle division offers software engineers between $150,000 and $282,000, while solutions consultants can earn up to $282,000. Even entry-level positions command substantial salaries, with customer engineers earning between $85,000 and $228,000.Design and user experience roles also offer competitive compensation, with UX designers earning up to $230,000 and UX researchers reaching $224,000. Financial analysts can make over $225,000, while data scientists earn as much as $260,000.Despite these substantial figures, a 2023 internal survey obtained by Business Insider showed many Google employees still felt underpaid compared to industry standards. The company’s generous packages reflect the broader tech industry’s struggle to attract and retain talent as AI development accelerates.
Complete breakdown of Google salaries: From $85K for customer engineers to $340K for software engineers
| Role | Salary Range |
| Engineering Roles | |
| Software Engineer | $109,180 – $340,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | $220,000 – $323,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $187,000 – $253,000 |
| Software Engineer Manager | $199,000 – $316,000 |
| Hardware Engineer | $130,000 – $284,000 |
| Research Engineer | $153,000 – $265,000 |
| Management Roles | |
| Product Manager | $136,000 – $280,000 |
| Technical Program Manager | $116,000 – $270,000 |
| Program Manager | $125,000 – $236,000 |
| Scientist Roles | |
| Research Scientist | $155,000 – $303,000 |
| Data Scientist | $133,000 – $260,000 |
| Design Roles | |
| UX Designer | $124,000 – $230,000 |
| UX Researcher | $124,000 – $224,000 |
| Business Roles | |
| Financial Analyst | $102,000 – $225,230 |
| Solutions Consultant | $100,000 – $282,000 |
