Microsoft Software Engineer - any guesses as to how much they earn? (Redmond: contractors, salary)

[Cagirl767]

I'm trying to find out what a Software Engineer's annual salary might be at Microsoft in Redmond - with 20+ years' experience.
Any guesses?

[jamesandveybe]

Depends completely on experience. What software? What hardware?

[Cagirl767]

Experience: embedded, C++, SQL Server, OO, C+, Rational Rose, all those.
And a few patents.

[bigtrees]

I'd guess the nominal is $126,000 per year. There may be some Microsofties on here that have access to their salary codes, I don't work there so I don't have that access.

Having a few patents under your belt will help get hired, but I don't think it will do much for pay.

[jamesandveybe]

I would never work as en employee for Bill again, but v dash contractors make $50 per hour with those skills. You might break $126k if you work alot of overtime.

[jenlion]

Originally Posted by Cagirl767

Experience: embedded, C++, SQL Server, OO, C+, Rational Rose, all those.
And a few patents.

If he shows up saying "I know C+" they'll laugh him off the campus.

Assuming that's actually C or maybe C#, the next question is -- still coding, or, after 20 years of experience, now managing?

Assuming since you said Software Engineer, you mean a coder, not a manager. But it completely depends on the level you hire in at. MS hubby says that's probably at minimum a level 62-63; if not, something is wrong. That level will drive the salary and the bonus potential.

[woodinvilleguy]

My guess is that you would slot into a level 63 or 64, but just a guess. That puts you somewhere between 100k and 130k.

The biggest benefit is the medical program. You pay zero for anything. It is the one thing I miss from MS.

[tada]

Originally Posted by jenlion

If he shows up saying "I know C+" they'll laugh him off the campus.

Assuming that's actually C or maybe C#, the next question is -- still coding, or, after 20 years of experience, now managing?

Assuming since you said Software Engineer, you mean a coder, not a manager. But it completely depends on the level you hire in at. MS hubby says that's probably at minimum a level 62-63; if not, something is wrong. That level will drive the salary and the bonus potential.

There's no such thing as C+. I find it hard to believe this guy has 20 years of experience.

The only real reference frame I have for salaries is that grads out of UW's CS department make around $60-80k a year. Not me though, there's no way I could spend the rest of my life in this depressing town (and recently, country). Ahem, back to the topic at hand...

What are these "levels" that you all are talking about? What is this, an RPG?

[toughguy]

Cagirl never said C+, she said C++, which is a bonafide language. Do you play Xbox 360 games? Chances are, it was mostly coded in C++. I am not a CS major, I don't know any languages...but this is basic level stuff. You're making us sound like goons up here.

[jenlion]

Toughguy, she said C++ and C+ both. That's what we're nitpicking on. I have done way more than my fair share of C and more than enough C++, and quit dealing with it before C# became vogue. Since there's no C+, I'm teasing -- I'm sure she meant C# or C. But if that exact message is going to a recruiter, it needs to be edited first.

And yes, it's like an RPG. You have a level, and when you get promoted, you get a level up (or maybe two!). Your proceived charisma gets a boost, your invulnerability goes up, your everyman quality goes down, and you get access to much better spells. You want to get hired in at the highest level possible and move up from there for better salaries and bonuses,.