An SDE 2 isn't really a senior software engineer role, that would be SDE3, where many of which make closer to 300k.

I'm not an expert on Amazon, but I do have friends working there, so I asked them.

They told me it's very rare for a new hire to come in as SDE3. Even a very experienced senior engineer is unlikely to get an offer above SDE2 level.

SDE3 is thus not just a senior engineer, but one who has been with Amazon for several years.

Per our discussion, that means very few of the new office employees are going to be above SDE2 level. The stated purpose of this office is to recruit new talent, which will be at SDE2 level at most.

Finally, "close to 300k" isn't very competitive for a senior NYC SWE who has been with the same company for years. I'm sure you know this is far below most other FAANGs for a similar position.

Close to 300k would be a person receiving an offer as an SDE 3, where with time spent at the company that amount is higher. It might have been different in my experience, but plenty of new people come in as SDE 3's should they have the relevant experience. The difference in compensation between amazon and fb/google/netflix is minimal except for at the very junior levels.

All I can say is: it doesn't match the accounts I am hearing from friends.

For example, a couple of my friends interviewed with Amazon fairly recently, for senior engineering positions. In every case when the same person received an offer from Amazon + another FAANG - the other FAANG offer was substantially higher.

In one case I know the exact numbers, and the other FAANG offer was 50% (!) higher.

> The difference in compensation between amazon and fb/google/netflix is minimal except for at the very junior levels.

This not only contradicts what I know from friends, it also makes little sense. Hiring top talent straight out of college is a huge priority for companies like Amazon, which is trying to build a strong talent base. Underpaying at the entry level means they'll lose all the best candidates.

Only paying competitively at more senior levels means they're counting on these people to suddenly relocate to Seattle after 5-6+ years at another FAANG, which would never happen. Especially as Amazon doesn't pay particularly well at the senior level too.

You want to tell me an L4-5 from Google will move to Seattle to work as an SDE3 for "almost $300k"? I.E. take a 50% paycut to work for a company with worse reputation in an area that has far fewer tech jobs than the Bay? Mid career?

Please.

It's pretty well known that if you get an offer from Amazon and also from Facebook or Google, you will accept Facebook or Google. This is true for all levels, and the numbers you are quoting only confirm this preference.

My impression is that Amazon has been having trouble competing for top talent, and is working to improve its propositions, with this big new office in NYC being part of the pitch. They do have ways to go before they can actually compete with the better FAANGs out there, to the point when people will routinely choose them over Facebook or Google or Apple.

Just look at levels.fyi which is relatively up to date data on how much people make at each level. The level to level mapping may be higher at google, but google is also notorious for down leveling, and in turn making less money and having less ability for quick advancement anyways. Add on the fact that amazon has had better stock growth and the total amount is negligible.

I've worked at multiple fangs/unicorns, and any differences between these companies is largely marginal. Maybe amazon is worse now than I realized, and maybe other companies are better now than I realized, but overall, what ultimately matters more is that you're at a place that will allow you to keep getting promoted rather than any one company that pays more at any given level.