Engineering Job Level Comparison: Microsoft vs Meta vs Google vs Amazon

📌 Key Notes by Company

✅ Microsoft

• Levels start at 59 for full-time engineers.
• Partner (67+) is considered executive-level technical leadership.
• Dual track: IC and Manager paths are clearly defined.

✅ Meta

• IC = Individual Contributor, E = Engineering Manager.
• Strong IC track up to IC8, with top-level engineers often earning more than some directors.
• Leveling is tight to scope and cross-functional impact.

✅ Google

• L3–L6 = Software Engineer
• L7 = Senior Staff / Principal
• L8+ = Distinguished / Director
• Promotion bar is very high for L6+.

✅ Amazon

• Uses unified L4–L12+ leveling system across ICs and managers.
• L7 is a huge level – could be a Principal Engineer or Senior Manager.
• Base salary capped (~$185K–$195K), with heavy use of RSUs for comp at L6+.

📚 Primary Data Sources

✅ 1. Levels.fyi

• Most comprehensive public source for job levels, compensation, and career ladders across tech.
• Directly contributed by employees and verified offers.
• Includes charts comparing level titles, scope, and compensation.
• Frequently updated and widely trusted across the industry.

✅ 2. Blind

• Anonymous verified user posts discussing levels, offers, and promotions.
• Especially useful for edge cases (e.g., someone moving from Meta IC6 to Google L6).
• Shows how engineers level-hop across companies.

✅ 3. Public Job Listings (CA Pay Transparency Laws)

• Companies like Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are required by law (especially in CA, WA, CO, NY) to post official pay ranges tied to levels.
• These listings often include the associated level (e.g., “IC6, Software Engineer” or “L6 SDE”).

✅ 4. H1B Salary Data

• U.S. Department of Labor public salary disclosures for visa holders.
• Useful for title-to-level mapping (especially by location).

✅ 5. Internal Knowledge / Industry Experience

• Confirmed by:
  • Recruiters and tech leads on LinkedIn, Medium, or hiring events
  • Tech career coaches and former FAANG employees who share insights online
  • My own compiled mappings from user interactions and offer breakdowns