UX Designer MS to Google: TC comparison

Feb 7, 2021 71 Comments

L65 at MS. TC = 230+50+100 (terrible manager, don’t see any growth)
Google offer L5 = 175 + 15% + 300

The famous down level happened although the interview feedback was great and the HM was super excited.

1) I asked them to at least match my base but they say that’s the max base for L5. Does anyone know the base range for L5 designers at Google ?

2) Also the recruiter seems unwilling to budge. Which is rather strange to me. He said everything depends on the Compensation Committee and that he can’t do anything about it. I don’t want to take this cut in base coz that means lesser bonus too for the same performance levels.

Any advice or shared experience is appreciated. Thank you!

#design #ui/ux #google #microsoft #research

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TOP 71 Comments
  • Google
    rollba

    Go to company page Google

    rollba
    Op did u accept it?
    Feb 24, 2021 5
    • Right on @washtub! They were being so stingy despite my substantial experience and competing offer. The sense I got was - “ we are so cool. You should give your right arm to join us. It’s an honor to be hired. So just fold and take what we give you. Coz we are just amazing”
      I was like... I am decently amazing too. How about at least matching my current base or thereabouts ? 🤓
      Apr 3, 2021
    • Google isn’t allowed to take current TC in to consideration due to WA law. Since they don’t know/not allowed to ask your current pay then that’s not leverage.
      Jan 7
  • Google
    cocorobot

    Go to company page Google

    PRE
    Hulu, MGM Resorts, Huge, Sapient Razorfish, Netflix, Google, Instrument
    cocorobot
    L5 Seattle UX Design breakdown for me joining 5 months ago:
    (18 yoe)

    Base: 178k
    Bonus: 20%
    Sign on: 30k
    Equity: $448k (at start, worth $640k now)
    Mar 25, 2021 13
  • Google senior band has a max base of 175k? That’s low!
    Feb 9, 2021 4
  • New / Eng
    avforme

    New Eng

    PRE
    500 Startups
    BIO
    Engineering lead at an Autonomous Vehicle startup.
    avforme
    For 15yoe that seems a tad low for Google from what I read, but everyone on Blind waves their comp dick around. I’m at 185k with 20% bonus and 300/4. Also 15yoe, and not at Google (but similar company to FANGMULA). Maybe you could negotiate on the bonus percent, or if they’re saying they’re compensating with stock then ask for like 500k/4. You could also ask for nice sign on. Just say you need that difference made up. I bet Google would fork over 50k+ easy in a sign on for your YOE.
    Mar 17, 2021 3
    • Amazon
      plsblvit

      Go to company page Amazon

      plsblvit
      Yeah, it was definitely low I think, but like everyone said - could also be region.

      I was recently extended an L5 UX offer 190/15%/350 RSU w/ 30k sign on and it feels like they didn’t even try, just matched the offer I had from elsewhere. So hard to find legit info on L5 UX comp bands on here.
      Mar 18, 2021
    • Facebook / Design
      Djwo10

      Go to company page Facebook Design

      PRE
      Microsoft
      Djwo10
      @plsblvit, your numbers are very strong for L5. In OP’s case though, they have 15 YOE, and therefore the entire L5 comp band is lowball
      Mar 18, 2021
  • Facebook / Design
    Djwo10

    Go to company page Facebook Design

    PRE
    Microsoft
    Djwo10
    I would recommend not accepting the offer. Everything I’ve heard about the 5->6 promo velocity is that it is quite slow, so it may be years before your TC would even match your current TC at MS
    Feb 22, 2021 2
    • Thank you for your Advice Djwo10. I also heard that from multiple employees that Googlers spend a majority of their time writing performance review and promotion docs. I feel like they didn’t value me. They did nothing to make the offer appealing to me. I am tending to agree with your recommendation.
      Feb 24, 2021
    • Netflix
      kassofrass

      Go to company page Netflix

      kassofrass
      You did the right thing. G can be disappointing.
      Mar 20, 2021