Was the master’s worth it though ?
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Funny that 1 year after I started this thread my total comp for 2022 will be CHF 109’440. 2023 should be around 110-120k if everything goes as expected.
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What ends up in the Lohnausweis?
Crypto startups seem to have quite some money available and can pay comparable salaries.
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G’s pay bands are determined by market survey, so yes. Tho the peers companies’ Swiss employee footprint is probably 10 to 50x smaller (and they might be looking for much more specific roles, e.g. Facebook only has Oculus presence, Apple is mostly some ML and Geo stuff, etc).
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According to friends that are there the internal polls had L6 SWE median compensation at ~260 base, ~60 bonus and ~140 stock and L7 SWE median compensation at ~330 base, ~90 bonus and ~190 stock. People that have joined a couple of years ago could have easily 1.5x with the Covid bull run of 2020-2021. These numbers are probably not exponentially decayed with time so people that have joined now could be easily seeing 1.25x that.
Great numbers, and great idea about the appreciation tracking!
I know a bunch - the other FANGs with smaller offices in Zürich, newer tech companies offering remote positions (my company is in this cohort), various crypto-startups. Weighed by number of positions though I think Google still dominates.
Nothing representative, because the vast majority of stock is in options. Probably the best lead for the target range would be the annual refresher which is ~200k.
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Yeah, I think G’s compensation is clearly an outlier here. Crazy numbers.
I don’t think any other FAANG has a significant headcount in Zurich and for crypto startups, I would expect a large portion of their comp is in coins/options which vest over time and is quite risky and can go to 0 really damn quick.
So the gig at G is damn good.
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The master gives me some recognition and job opportunities (good grades and accredited degree). Regarding money: after graduation 76k as architect, 105k and 121k as software engineer, 119k and 133k as enterprise architect, 130k as consultant (2019/20: 131k, 2021: 135k). Btw, in one job I found out that the pay band started with 19% more than I got initially (I guess female penalty).
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Entry level SW engineer at “normal” employers (read: not Google), right after Bachelors (Fachhochschule) is usually around 85k. With a masters maybe a bit more. The degree does not guarantee higher comp, expertise and experience (and the abilitiy to sell yourself) does.
The range of 120-130k is typical once you are senior SWE/team lead/architect. Again, this is for “normal” employers, i.e. insurances, financial institutions, public sector, etc.
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@kane: I agree. This is my experience, too.
Already thinking about FIRE at this age ?! 
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More like: already making 100k at this age 
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I am just really impressed and admirable about your current number, so congratulations!
I wouldn’t except this salary in my field without long academic study and before 28 years old (if everything went ok; SPOILER: nope).
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Actuary working at a big Swiss company
2017 : 27.5k (in Italy)
2018 : 58.5k (moved to CH mid-year)
2019 : 92k + 5k bonus
2020 : 108k + 14k bonus (promotion)
2021 : 114k + 18k bonus
2022 : 132k + 20k bonus (promotion)
Next year bonus should be higher given the promotion was effective from 1st Jan.
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We always need more, the trick to happiness is to realize when we’ve reached “enough” and should focus our efforts on other aspects of our life. 
I’m also impressed by all the promotions y’all seem to be receiving, as well as your salary progressions. I’ve been trying to break the 100K threshold for 2 years with no avail and I doubt I can get over 150K without launching my own study/taking one over (civil engineering).
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I am a valuation actuary and have been recently promoted to a Team Lead role
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Example for masters: I finished my masters last October, and received three offers from 89-105k at the more ‘normal’ employers, with Swisscom being the highest offer of those.
Ended up at a place offering almost double that. SW engineering, crypto startup style, research heavy. Hiring if anyone’s interested…
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Wow that’s impressive.
2x base or you are counting options et al.?
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Very special situation: 100% base, no bonus/options. Reasoning comes from crypto complications with accounting, lawyers, and tax law. Not worth discussing here
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And it’s paid in CHF?
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