Microsoft's pay data leaks online; gives a rare look inside the company's compensation structure

Microsoft employees are once again comparing notes on compensation after an internal spreadsheet with nearly 600 submissions leaked online, offering a rare glimpse into how the tech giant rewards workforce. According to a report by Business Insider, the employee-reported data revealed the base salaries, raises, cash bonuses, and stock awards across levels and teams. While the sample is small compared to Microsoft’s 223,000 employees, it provides insight into pay transparency at a time when retaining top talent in AI and cloud is a strategic priority.