Who pays more, Google or Meta?

Both Google and Meta offer highly competitive compensation packages, but which company pays more depends on the specific role, level of seniority, and location. However, in general, Meta is often known to offer slightly higher total compensation (base salary, bonuses, and stock options) compared to Google, especially for software engineering and technical roles. Let's break it down:

Salary Comparison:

• Base Salary: The base salaries at both companies are comparable for similar roles. For example, a software engineer at Google or Meta can expect a base salary in the range of 120,000 to 150,000 for mid-level roles.

• Bonuses: Both companies offer performance-based bonuses, but Meta’s bonus structure can be slightly more aggressive.

• Stock Options and RSUs: This is where Meta often outshines Google. Meta provides more RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) as part of their total compensation, which can significantly boost overall pay, especially when Meta's stock performs well.

Specific Roles:

1. Software Engineers:

   • Meta: Software engineers at Meta can earn a total compensation of 300,000–500,000 or more at senior levels, largely due to RSUs.
   • Google: Engineers at Google earn similar base salaries, but their total compensation, especially at senior levels, might be slightly lower in stock options compared to Meta.

2. Product Managers:

   • Meta: Product managers at Meta can expect a total compensation of 250,000–400,000 depending on experience and role level.
   • Google: Product managers at Google generally have a total compensation package in a similar range, but RSUs from Meta may still give an edge.

3. Senior Leadership:

   • For senior roles such as Directors or VPs, both companies offer extremely lucrative packages, often surpassing $1 million in total compensation.

Other Benefits:

Both companies offer excellent perks and benefits, such as healthcare, wellness programs, parental leave, and extensive learning opportunities. However, the work-life balance at Google is often reported to be slightly better than Meta, as Meta is known for its fast-paced, high-impact work environment.

Conclusion:

While both companies are among the highest-paying employers in the tech industry, Meta is often reported to offer slightly higher total compensation, especially when considering stock options. That said, compensation varies widely depending on the role and location, so it's best to compare offers directly when considering these companies.

Sources:

• Levels.fyi - Meta Salaries
• Levels.fyi - Google Salaries