Ever dreamt of working at Microsoft? With those big fat paychecks, thriving isn’t optional—it’s expected!
Microsoft walks a tightrope In 2025—letting go of some while rolling out the red carpet (and fat checks) for others. In true tech-giant fashion, it’s saying goodbye to thousands—think traditional sales folks and those tagged in dreaded performance improvement plans—while wooing AI experts with paychecks that turn heads.
Curious how much? Software engineers pocket up to USD 284,000. Product managers? A cool USD 250,000. And if you’re a machine learning wizard at LinkedIn, Microsoft might just drop USD 336,000 in base pay alone. One leaked spreadsheet from 2024 spells it out: if you’re in AI, you’re likely earning more than your non-AI peers. Managers now dangle retention bonuses like candy—just for building the next Copilot or AI tool. Despite the layoffs, Microsoft isn’t shutting its hiring doors. But be warned—it’s not hiring everyone. Only cloud geniuses, AI rockstars, and top-tier engineers need apply. After all, Google and OpenAI are knocking too.
Salaries Lead As Microsoft Reshapes Its Workforce
Microsoft is changing how it hires and pays people—cutting some roles while offering big salaries in others. In early 2025, data from 5,400 work visa applications showed Microsoft paying between USD 82,971 and USD 284,000 for tech jobs. Product managers earned up to USD 250,000, and data engineers and scientists made over USD 260,000. Roles in AI, machine learning, silicon, and cloud got the highest pay. On the flip side, jobs like business planning and customer programs stayed below USD 200,000. Microsoft hasn’t shared official details, but visa data gives a clear picture: the company is focused on hiring top talent to build AI tools like Copilot.
Microsoft Leans On AI While Cutting Old Roles
Microsoft is laying off traditional roles while investing heavily in AI. Its Copilot tool has billions in funding and is a big focus. Internal messages tell employees to use Microsoft’s own AI tools more and reward those who improve them. The company is replacing old-style sales teams with tech-savvy staff who can sell AI products better. Even with layoffs, hiring continues—but mainly for roles in AI, cloud, and engineering. Microsoft is shifting toward automation and advanced tech. In today’s job market, AI skills aren’t just helpful—they’re key to getting hired and staying in.
Layoffs & Restructuring At Microsoft – 2025
- Microsoft has carried out multiple rounds of layoffs in 2025, affecting thousands of employees.
- Key roles impacted include:
- Traditional sales staff, replaced by technical salespeople better equipped to sell AI tools.
- Low performers, flagged through Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), often paired with payout offers.
- These layoffs are part of a broader strategy to:
- Boost operational efficiency
- Align the workforce with AI priorities
- Manage costs amid major shifts in tech demands.
Salary At Microsoft For 2025
| Role | Base Salary Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Software Engineering | $82,971 – $284,000 |
| Product Management | $122,800 – $250,000 |
| Data Engineering | $144,855 – $264,000 |
| Data Science | $121,200 – $274,500 |
| Site Reliability Engineering | $135,100 – $236,670 |
| Electrical Engineering | $138,995 – $247,650 |
| Silicon Engineering | $116,334 – $275,000 |
| Cloud Architecture | $130,000 – $217,589 |
(This information was taken by Business Insider from a Microsoft document)
Microsoft To Rethinks Pay and Talent Game
Microsoft is changing how it pays and keeps talent. It’s moving away from traditional roles and focusing on AI. The highest salaries now go to AI experts, with some machine learning roles earning up to USD 336,000. Microsoft is also offering bonuses to keep top talent from leaving. It’s clear the company wants innovation—and it’s willing to pay for it. Traditional sales teams are being replaced by tech leaders. Even with layoffs happening, Microsoft is still hiring for AI-focused roles. With strong competition from Google and even OpenAI, Microsoft is betting big on smart people and smarter technology.
Aishwarya is a journalism graduate with over three years of experience thriving in the buzzing corporate media world. She’s got a knack for decoding business news, tracking the twists and turns of the stock market, covering the masala of the entertainment world, and sometimes her stories come with just the right sprinkle of political commentary. She has worked with several organizations, interned at ZEE and gained professional skills at TV9 and News24, And now is learning and writing at NewsX, she’s no stranger to the newsroom hustle. Her storytelling style is fast-paced, creative, and perfectly tailored to connect with both the platform and its audience. Moto: Approaching every story from the reader’s point of view, backing up her insights with solid facts.
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