Visa Software Engineer Salary: How much do they earn?
Discover the average Visa Software Engineer salary and comprehensive benefits. Compare compensation, work-life balance, and company culture. Find out more!
Visa is a global leader in payment technology, known for its innovative solutions and worldwide presence. As a company at the forefront of digital transactions, Visa attracts top engineering talent from around the globe. But how much do software engineers at Visa actually earn?
In this blog, we’ll take an in-depth look at the salary ranges for Visa software engineers, explore factors that influence compensation, and compare earnings across different experience levels.
Visa Software Engineer Salaries by Level
According to the data from Levels.fyi, Visa offers competitive salaries for software engineers across different levels.
Here is a breakdown of the salaries for each level:
Level Name | Total | Base | Stock (/yr) | Bonus |
---|---|---|---|---|
Associate Software Engineer | $113K | $95.3K | $6.8K | $11.3K |
Software Engineer (L4) | $132K | $114K | $13.2K | $4.2K |
Senior Software Engineer (L5) | $149K | $133K | $10.1K | $5.9K |
Staff Software Engineer (L6) | $214K | $170K | $22.2K | $21.7K |
Senior Staff Software Engineer (L7) | $245K | $189K | $27K | $29.3K |
Lead Software Engineer (L8) | $251K | $193K | $30.4K | $28.5K |
Chief Software Engineer (L9) | $308K | $229K | $38.9K | $40.3K |
Distinguished Engineer | $ -- | $ -- | $ -- | $ -- |
L3 - Associate Software Engineer
At the L3 level, an Associate Software Engineer at GitLab receives a total compensation package of $113K per year. The base salary for this level is $95.3K, with an additional $6.8K in stock benefits and $11.3K in bonus earnings.
L4 - Software Engineer
The L4 Software Engineer role at GitLab offers a total compensation of $132K per year. The base salary for this level is $114K, with $13.2K in stock benefits and $4.2K in bonuses.
L5 - Senior Software Engineer
Senior Software Engineers at GitLab, classified as L5, earn a total compensation package of $149K annually. The base salary for this level is $133K, with an additional $10.1K in stock benefits and $5.9K in bonus earnings.
L6 - Staff Software Engineer
Staff Software Engineers, classified as L6 at GitLab, enjoy a total compensation package of $214K per year. The base salary for this level is $170K, with an additional $22.2K in stock benefits and $21.7K in bonus earnings.
L7 - Senior Staff Software Engineer
At the L7 level, Senior Staff Software Engineers at GitLab receive a total compensation package of $245K per year. The base salary for this level is $189K, with $27K in stock benefits and $29.3K in bonuses.
L8 - Lead Software Engineer
Lead Software Engineers at GitLab, classified as L8, earn a total compensation of $251K annually. The base salary for this level is $193K, with an additional $30.4K in stock benefits and $28.5K in bonus earnings.
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L9 - Chief Software Engineer
Chief Software Engineers at GitLab, classified as L9, earn a total compensation package of $308K per year. The base salary for this level is $229K, with an additional $38.9K in stock benefits and $40.3K in bonus earnings.
Distinguished Engineer
While exact figures are not available for this role, Distinguished Engineers at GitLab are at the pinnacle of the software engineering career track and can expect a highly competitive compensation package that reflects their strategic influence within the company.
Career Progression and Salary Increases at Visa
At GitLab, career progression is a key component of employee growth. As you move up the ranks, you can expect salary increases and additional responsibilities. Below is a breakdown of the career progression and salary increases at GitLab:
- Associate Software Engineer (Level 3): As an Associate Software Engineer (L3) at GitLab, you can expect a total compensation package of $113,000. In this role, you'll assist with basic software engineering tasks, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and gain valuable experience under the mentorship of senior engineers.
- Software Engineer (Level 4): After gaining experience as an Associate, you can progress to the Software Engineer (L4) role. At this level, your total compensation package will be $132,000. As a Software Engineer, you'll take on larger projects, design and develop software applications and work closely with stakeholders to meet project requirements.
- Senior Software Engineer (Level 5): Advancing further, you can move into the Senior Software Engineer (L5) position. Here, you’ll earn a total compensation of $149,000. In this role, you'll manage more complex projects, mentor junior engineers, and play a key role in architectural decision-making.
- Staff Software Engineer (Level 6): As a Staff Software Engineer (L6), you can expect a total compensation package of $214,000. At this level, you’ll act as a technical leader, mentor other engineers, and contribute to major technical strategies and decisions within the company.
- Senior Staff Software Engineer (Level 7): Progressing to the Senior Staff Software Engineer (L7) level brings a total compensation package of $245,000. In this role, you'll oversee multiple teams, drive technical innovations, and be involved in high-level strategic planning.
- Lead Software Engineer (Level 8): At the Lead Software Engineer (L8) level, you can expect a total compensation package of $251,000. You'll be responsible for leading engineering teams and setting technical direction for large-scale projects.
- Chief Software Engineer (Level 9): At the L9 level, as a Chief Software Engineer, your total compensation package will be $308,000. You’ll take on a critical role in shaping GitLab's technical vision and overseeing the most complex projects.
- Distinguished Engineer: The pinnacle of a software engineering career at GitLab, Distinguished Engineers are tasked with defining the company’s technical strategy. Although exact compensation figures are not available for this level, you can expect it to be highly competitive, reflecting the significant influence and expertise required for this role.
Salary Variations by Location
When it comes to Visa Software Engineer salaries, the compensation can vary depending on the location.
Here is a breakdown of how salaries fluctuate across different regions:
- San Francisco, California: As the company's headquarters are located in California, it is no surprise that software engineers in San Francisco tend to earn higher salaries compared to other locations. The higher cost of living in the area is reflected in the compensation packages offered.
- New York City, New York: Another high-cost area, software engineers in New York City can also expect competitive salaries. The vibrant tech scene and numerous job opportunities contribute to the higher salary range.
- Seattle, Washington: With its strong presence in the tech industry, Seattle offers attractive compensation packages for software engineers. The city is home to several major tech companies, creating a competitive job market that drives up salaries.
- Austin, Texas: Known for its thriving tech scene and lower cost of living compared to cities like San Francisco and New York, Austin provides software engineers with a favorable balance between salary and living expenses.
- Chicago, Illinois: As a major economic hub, Chicago offers competitive salaries for software engineers. The city's diverse business landscape and growing tech sector contribute to the higher compensation packages.
- Boston, Massachusetts: Renowned for its prestigious universities and innovation-driven environment, Boston provides software engineers with competitive salaries. The city's strong emphasis on research and development creates a demand for skilled professionals.
- Atlanta, Georgia: As a growing tech hub in the Southeast, Atlanta offers software engineers attractive compensation packages. The relatively lower cost of living in the area makes it an appealing location for tech professionals.
- Raleigh, North Carolina: With its growing tech industry and reputation as the "Research Triangle," Raleigh provides software engineers with competitive salaries. The city's abundant job opportunities and lower living costs make it an attractive destination for tech talent.
It's important to note that these variations are approximate and subject to change. Salaries may also differ based on factors such as experience level, education, and specific job responsibilities.
Top Benefits Offered by Visa
Visa is known for offering a robust benefits package designed to support the well-being and work-life balance of its employees. These benefits not only enhance productivity but also ensure long-term job satisfaction. Here are some of the top benefits Visa provides:
- Custom Work Station: Visa provides employees with a custom work station, ensuring a comfortable and personalized work environment.
- Health Insurance: Visa offers comprehensive health insurance coverage, providing employees with access to quality healthcare services.
- Life Insurance: As part of their benefits package, Visa provides life insurance coverage, giving employees peace of mind and financial protection.
- On-Site Clinic: Visa has an on-site clinic facility, making it convenient for employees to access medical care and services.
- On-Site Mother's Room: For new mothers, Visa offers an on-site mother's room, providing a comfortable and private space for nursing or pumping.
- Sick Time: Employees at Visa are provided with three days of sick time off to take care of their health and well-being.
- Dental Insurance: Visa offers dental insurance coverage, ensuring employees have access to dental care and treatments.
- Free Snacks: Visa provides free snacks to employees, fostering a positive and enjoyable work environment.
- Gym On-Site: With an on-site gym, Visa promotes a healthy lifestyle by offering employees the convenience of exercising during work hours.
- Health Savings Account (HSA): Visa contributes $1,300 per year to employees' Health Savings Account, enhancing their ability to manage healthcare expenses.
- On-Site Fitness Classes: Visa offers on-site fitness classes, allowing employees to participate in various exercise programs and stay active.
- PTO (Vacation / Personal Days): Employees at Visa receive 21 days of paid time off, enabling them to take vacations and personal days for relaxation and rejuvenation.
- Vision Insurance: Visa provides vision insurance coverage, ensuring employees have access to eye care services and vision correction.
- Company Shuttle: Visa offers a company shuttle service, providing employees with transportation between office locations.
- Transport Allowance: Employees at Visa receive a transport allowance, helping to cover commuting expenses.
- Adoption Assistance: Visa supports employees by offering adoption assistance, providing financial aid and resources for adoption processes.
- Immigration Assistance: Visa provides immigration assistance to help employees navigate the complexities of visas and work permits.
- Company Phones: Visa offers company phones to employees, ensuring seamless communication and connectivity.
- On-Site Laundry: With on-site laundry facilities, Visa promotes convenience and ease for employees in managing their laundry needs.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP): Visa's ESPP allows employees to contribute up to 10% of their base salary and offers a 15% discount on the stock purchase price.
These benefits, sourced from Levels.fyi, contribute to Visa's inclusive and employee-centric work environment.
Working Culture at Visa: A Comparison
When it comes to evaluating a company's working culture, it's important to consider the experiences and opinions of its employees. According to the data from Comparably, a platform that provides insights into workplace culture, Visa receives mixed ratings across different departments.
Here is a breakdown of the work-life balance, happiness, and culture scores at Visa:
Department | Work Life Balance | Happiness | Culture Score |
---|---|---|---|
Sales | A+ | A+ | A+ |
Operations | B | C+ | B |
Engineering | B | C- | D+ |
Product | B | D+ | D+ |
Design | B | C | C- |
Marketing | -- | C | F |
The table provides a snapshot of employee satisfaction across various departments, focusing on work-life balance, happiness, and overall culture. Sales stand out with top marks, earning an A+ in all categories, indicating a high level of employee satisfaction. Operations follows with a decent work-life balance (B), but scores lower in happiness (C+) and culture (B).
On the other hand, departments like Engineering and Product show significant challenges, with lower ratings in happiness and culture. Marketing, notably, scores an F in culture and is missing a work-life balance rating, suggesting room for improvement in employee well-being.
Overall, Visa's working culture has its strengths and areas for improvement, offering a diverse experience for employees across different departments.
Salary Comparison: Visa vs Mastercard
When considering a career in software engineering, it's important to understand the salary landscape and how it compares across different companies. In this section, we'll take a look at the salaries for software engineers at Visa and compare them to those at Mastercard, one of Visa's main competitors in the payment technology industry.
To provide a comprehensive comparison, we'll refer to the salary data from levels.fyi for Mastercard software engineers. Please note that the levels and titles may not directly correspond between the two companies, so we'll make approximate comparisons.
Level Name | Visa Salary Range | Mastercard Salary Range |
---|---|---|
Associate Software Engineer (L3) | $113K | $117K |
Software Engineer (L4) | $132K | $121K |
Senior Software Engineer (L5) | $149K | $145K |
Staff Software Engineer (L6) | $214K | $204K |
Senior Staff Software Engineer (L7) | $245K | $269K |
Lead Software Engineer (L8) | $251K | $267K |
Chief Software Engineer (L9) | $308K | -- |
The salary comparison between Visa and Mastercard shows that both companies offer competitive compensation packages, with slight variations at different levels.
At the Associate Software Engineer (L3) and Software Engineer (L4) levels, Visa offers slightly higher salaries, with $113K and $132K, respectively, compared to Mastercard's $117K and $121K. However, the gap narrows at the Senior Software Engineer (L5) level, where Mastercard offers $145K, close to Visa's $149K.
As employees progress to higher levels, Mastercard starts to outpace Visa in compensation. For instance, at the Senior Staff Engineer (L7) and Lead Engineer (L8) levels, Mastercard offers $269K and $267K, respectively, compared to Visa's $245K and $251K. Visa does have an additional Chief Software Engineer (L9) level, offering a high $308K, a position not listed for Mastercard.
To have a more precise understanding of the salary ranges, it's always best to refer to the most up-to-date data from reliable sources like levels.fyi.
FAQs
Q. How much do Software Engineers make at Visa?
The salary range for Software Engineers at Visa varies depending on the level. The average base salary for an Associate Software Engineer (L3) is $95.3K, with a total compensation of $113K. For a Software Engineer (L4), the base salary is $114K, with a total compensation of $132K. Senior Software Engineers (L5) at Visa earn a base salary of $133K, with a total compensation of $149K. Finally, Staff Software Engineers (L6) have a base salary of $170K, with a total compensation of $214K.
Q. What is the average salary at Visa?
The average salary at Visa varies by level. For an Associate Software Engineer (L3), the total compensation is $113K. Software Engineers (L4) earn an average total compensation of $132K, while Senior Software Engineers (L5) receive $149K. Staff Software Engineers (L6) have an average total compensation of $214K, and Senior Staff Software Engineers (L7) earn $245K. At the higher end, Lead Software Engineers (L8) earn $251K, and Chief Software Engineers (L9) have a total compensation of $308K.
Q. What is the highest salary offered as a Software Engineer at Visa?
The highest salary offered as a Software Engineer at Visa is for the Chief Software Engineer (L9) level, with a total compensation of $308K. The highest salary below this is at the Staff Software Engineer (L6) level, where the base salary is $170K, with a total compensation of $214K, which includes stock bonuses and annual bonuses.
Q. What are the most common skills required as a Software Engineer at Visa?
To be successful as a Software Engineer at Visa, some of the most common skills required include expertise in programming languages such as Java, C++, and Python, strong problem-solving abilities, knowledge of software development methodologies, experience with web technologies, and proficiency in database management systems.
Q. How much does an entry-level Software Engineer make at Visa?
At Visa, an entry-level Software Engineer starts at the Associate Software Engineer (L3) level. The base salary for this level is $95.3K, with a total compensation of $113K. This includes stock bonuses of $6.8K and annual bonuses of $11.3K.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, working as a software engineer at Visa is not only financially rewarding but also comes with a host of attractive benefits. With a competitive compensation package Visa ensures that its employees are well rewarded for their skills and contributions.
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