TL;DR
Microsoft Software Engineer Salary in India is one of the most searched topics among developers who want clarity, not hype. Some people say Microsoft pays less than Google. ”what is the salarly” Others claim only IIT graduates crack high packages. The truth sits somewhere in between, and that confusion is exactly what keeps engineers guessing about their real market value.
The problem is not the salary itself. It’s the lack of transparent, level-wise data. Freshers don’t know what to expect. Mid-level engineers underestimate their worth. Senior developers often miss how stock grants quietly double long-term compensation.
This guide fixes that. You’ll get clear numbers, real level breakdowns, city-wise insights, and how Microsoft’s pay structure actually works in India. No rumors, no inflated claims, just practical salary clarity you can use to plan your next move.
For a complete overview of software engineer salaries across India, you can refer to this detailed software engineer salary in India guide.
Microsoft Software Engineer Levels and Pay Structure
Microsoft follows a globally standardized leveling system that directly impacts the software engineer Microsoft salary India and scope of responsibility.
- Level 59–60 (Entry-Level SDE):
Typically freshers or engineers with 0–3 years of experience. This level defines the baseline software engineer salary Microsoft India for new hires. - Level 61–62 (Software Engineer II):
Engineers with 3–7 years of experience handling independent features and services. Searches for software engineer 2 Microsoft salary India usually refer to this band. - Level 63–64 (Senior Software Engineer):
Senior engineers leading design, mentoring, and owning large systems. Queries like senior software engineer Microsoft salary India and salary of senior software engineer in Microsoft India map to this range. - Level 65–67 (Principal Software Engineer):
High-impact technical leaders. This is where Microsoft principal software engineer salary India increases sharply due to equity. - Level 68+:
Partner or Distinguished Engineer roles, which are extremely rare.
For broader salary context across the Ireland market, check https://whatisthesalary.com/it-salaries/software-engineer-salary-in-ireland/.
Fresher Software Engineer Salary at Microsoft India
For fresh graduates joining Microsoft at Levels 59–60, the Microsoft engineer salary in India is significantly higher than the broader entry-level market.
Based on 2025–2026 data:
- Base salary: ₹15–20 LPA
- RSUs: ₹7–10 LPA (vested over four years)
- Signing bonus: ₹3–5 lakhs
- Performance bonus: 10–20% of base
- Total compensation: ₹25–35 LPA, with top offers touching ₹40–50 LPA
The monthly in-hand salary for freshers usually ranges ₹1.2–2 lakhs, making Microsoft a top choice for graduates in India. For comparison with other product-tech companies and the overall fresher market, see https://whatisthesalary.com/it-salaries/fresher-software-engineer-salary-in-india/
Microsoft Software Engineer Salary by Location
Location plays an important role in compensation.
- Microsoft software engineer salary Bangalore:
Typically sits at the higher end of the pay band due to the mature tech ecosystem and senior-heavy teams. - Microsoft software engineer salary Hyderabad:
Slightly lower than Bengaluru on average, but still highly competitive and often comparable at senior levels.
Across both cities, software engineer salary in Microsoft India remains consistent at each level, with variations driven more by role and impact than geography alone.
Experienced Engineer Salaries at Microsoft
Software Engineer II (Levels 61–62)
Engin
| Role | Microsoft Level | Base Salary (India) | Total Compensation (India) | Common Search Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer II | Levels 61–62 | ₹30–45 LPA | ₹45–65 LPA | software engineer II Microsoft salary India, software engineer 2 Microsoft salary India |
Senior Software Engineer (Levels 63–64)
| Role | Microsoft Level | Total Compensation (India) | Equity Component | Key Responsibilities | Common Search Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | Levels 63–64 | ₹70–100+ LPA | Strong equity component | Technical leadership, system ownership, design decisions, mentoring engineers | Microsoft senior software engineer salary India, senior software engineer salary Microsoft India, senior software engineer salary in Microsoft India, Microsoft India senior software engineer salary |
Principal Software Engineer (Levels 65+)
Princip
| Role | Microsoft Level | Total Compensation (India) | Top-End Offers | Notes / Related Searches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal / Staff Software Engineer | Levels 65–67 | ₹1–1.3 crore+ | ₹1.6 crore+ | principal software engineer Microsoft salary India, principal software engineer salary Microsoft India, Microsoft principal software engineer salary India. Management-track roles (Principal Engineering Manager / Principal Software Engineering Manager) can exceed these figures based on scope and org size |
For full context across all levels and a comparison with entry-level salaries, visit https://whatisthesalary.com/it-salaries/software-engineer-salary-in-belgium/
Microsoft vs FAANG Salary Comparison
Within FAANG and similar tech giants, Microsoft remains highly competitive:
- Often matches or exceeds Amazon at mid-level roles
- Slightly trails Google and Meta at the extreme top end
- Offers more predictable stock vesting and better perceived work-life balance
For a detailed comparison of salaries across major tech companies in India, see https://whatisthesalary.com/it-salaries/software-engineer-salary-in-south-korea/
Benefits and Equity Compensation
Beyond salary, Microsoft provides strong long-term incentives:
- RSUs forming 30–50% of total compensation
- Annual performance bonuses and joining bonuses
- Health insurance, wellness benefits, meals, learning budgets, relocation support, and flexible work
These benefits significantly enhance the salary of Microsoft software engineer in India, especially over the long term.
FAQs: Microsoft Software Engineer Salary in India
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What is the Microsoft software engineer salary in India?
The Microsoft software engineer salary in India typically ranges from ₹25–35 LPA for freshers to ₹1 crore+ for senior and principal engineers. Entry-level engineers start at Levels 59–60, while senior roles at Levels 63+ earn significantly higher due to stock-based compensation and bonuses.
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What is the salary of a fresher software engineer at Microsoft India?
For fresh graduates, the salary of Microsoft software engineer in India usually falls between ₹25–35 LPA in total compensation. This includes a base salary of ₹15–20 LPA, RSUs, signing bonuses, and annual performance bonuses. Top campus hires can earn up to ₹40–50 LPA.
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What is the Microsoft software engineer salary per month in India?
The Microsoft software engineer salary per month in India depends on level and tax structure.
Freshers: ₹1.2–2 lakhs in-hand per month
Mid-level engineers (SDE II): ₹3–4 lakhs per month
Senior engineers: ₹5–7 lakhs or more per month
RSUs are not paid monthly and vest separately. -
What is the Software Engineer II Microsoft salary in India?
The software engineer 2 Microsoft salary in India (Levels 61–62) usually ranges from ₹45–65 LPA in total compensation. Base salary is around ₹30–45 LPA, with stock and bonuses forming a large portion of the package.
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What is the senior software engineer salary at Microsoft India?
The senior software engineer salary Microsoft India (Levels 63–64) typically ranges from ₹70–100+ LPA. The salary of senior software engineer in Microsoft India increases with leadership responsibility, system ownership, and equity grants.
Conclusion
The Microsoft software engineer salary in India reflects the company’s strong position in the global tech ecosystem. From freshers to senior and principal engineers, Microsoft offers consistent pay growth, strong equity rewards, and global exposure.
Whether you are evaluating software engineer salary in Microsoft India as a fresher or comparing senior software engineer Microsoft salary India against other FAANG offers, Microsoft remains a solid long-term choice. While compensation varies by role, location, and negotiation, the overall package consistently ranks among the best in India’s tech market.
For fresh graduates and experienced engineers alike, understanding the total compensation — base, stock, bonuses, and benefits — is key. Microsoft continues to rank among the top choices for software engineers in India.
Shahzada Muhammad Ali Qureshi (Leeo)
I’m Shahzada — a software engineer by education and an SEO professional by trade. I built WhatIsTheSalary.com to go beyond just showing salary numbers — every page is manually researched across sources like BLS, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and PayScale to give you the full picture in one place. If you found what you were looking for here, that’s exactly the point.
