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New Grad Salaries 2026

July 19, 2026·5 min read
New GradsSalary TrendsTech JobsCareer Advice

The latest salary sharing thread for new grads on r/cscareerquestions reveals emerging trends in the tech industry. Top companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are offering competitive salaries, with average ranges from $100,000 to over $160,000 for software engineering roles.

Salary Ranges by Company

New grads can expect the following salary ranges: $125,000 - $150,000 at Google, $115,000 - $140,000 at Amazon, and $120,000 - $155,000 at Microsoft. These figures are based on national averages in the United States and may vary depending on location and specific job requirements.

  • Java
  • Python
  • C++
  • Cloud Computing
  • Machine Learning
The highest reported salary for a new grad in 2026 is $180,000 at a top tech firm in San Francisco, with skills in cloud computing and machine learning.

Negotiating Your Salary

  1. 1Research industry standards
  2. 2Evaluate your skills and experience
  3. 3Practice your negotiation pitch

To navigate the job market effectively, new grads should focus on developing in-demand skills, building a strong professional network, and being prepared to negotiate their salary based on industry standards and their unique value proposition.

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