Video summary
Top 10 Highest Paying Tech Companies for New Grads!
Main summary
Key takeaways
Business-focused summary (strategy/operations/leadership themes)
This video is less about company execution tactics and more about high-compensation hiring for new-grad software engineering roles. The main “process” emphasized is how hiring and preparation works for these companies.
Data source / benchmarking approach
- Salaries are primarily referenced from Levels.fyi, supplemented with other sources.
Hiring reality check
- Most companies on the list don’t hire new grads often, but do hire them.
Credential expectations as a hiring filter
For new-grad roles at these top firms, the speaker suggests you typically need:
- Bachelor’s + Master’s (ideally in CS/software engineering), or
- If not both degrees: ~2 years experience plus networking/connections
Interview/training “onboarding” emphasis
- The speaker highlights meticulous interview processes.
- When roles are labeled new grad, training is expected (e.g., shadowing and multi-month onboarding), which is described as helping reduce “imposter syndrome.”
Location / operational constraint
- For most of these companies, remote work is not immediate for new grads; in-person is the norm.
- High cost of living is treated as an operational constraint for relocating (e.g., Bay Area/LA).
Frameworks / playbooks mentioned (implicit)
No formal business frameworks (e.g., SWOT/OKRs/GTM) are used, but there are practical apply/process playbooks described.
Application playbook
- Even if a posting doesn’t explicitly say “new grad,” apply anyway to software engineering roles
- Submit an excellent cover letter
- Use a strong resume
Preparation / qualification playbook
- Prioritize relevant degrees (CS/software engineering)
- Use networking to improve your odds
Key metrics & compensation targets (and tiers)
The video provides start-salary targets for new grads (mostly software engineering). Key figures mentioned:
Main tier (approximately $200k–$230k+)
- #10 Meta (Facebook): ~$200,000
- #9 Google: ~$200,000
- #8 Snapchat (Snap): ~$220,000
- #7 Roblox: ~$230,000
- #6 Stripe: ~$230,000
- #5 Netflix: ~$230,000
Top financial-firm tier (harder for new grads)
- #4 Jump Trading: ~$300,000
- #3 Two Sigma: ~$300,000
- #2 Citadel: ~$300,000
- #1 Jane Street: ~$330,000
Honorable mentions (Amazon / Microsoft / Apple)
- Approx. ~$160,000 starting salary (with variations)
- Microsoft: ~$150,000
- Amazon: ~$160,000
- Apple: ~$165,000
Relative difficulty / risk commentary (qualitative)
- “Higher on the list” ⇒ harder to get in as a new grad
- Most selective mentioned:
- Jane Street (speaker notes they don’t personally know; “apparently a trading firm”)
- Netflix, plus Meta (described as hard)
- Apple (described as hard)
Concrete examples / case-style details
The video includes operational onboarding examples (qualitative, not quantified).
Netflix
- Netflix claims to provide an extensive training period for new grads (months), including shadowing.
General training promise (conditional)
- If the job is explicitly new grad, companies “will train you.”
- If after ~1 year you “do nothing,” continued employment is not guaranteed—implying performance accountability after onboarding.
Actionable recommendations (derived from the speaker’s advice)
- Target credentials
- Aim for CS/software engineering degrees; a master’s is emphasized.
- Network
- Networking is used as an odds improver, especially if you don’t match the full degree pattern.
- Apply even without “new grad” wording
- Apply to software engineering roles anyway, including cover letter/resume effort.
- Plan for in-person relocation
- Assume in-person for new grads at these top firms, especially in Bay Area/LA.
- Account for cost of living
- Example given: a 1-bedroom apartment ~ $3,200 in expensive areas (Bay Area/LA), so salary should be evaluated after relocation costs.
Presenter / sources
- Presenter: Alex (spoken on camera: “hey everyone Alex here…”)
- Primary source referenced: Levels.fyi
- Additional sources: “other various sources” (not named)