How Many People Work At Microsoft? Statistics And Trends (2025)
Updated · Aug 01, 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction
How Many People Work At Microsoft?: Microsoft Corporation is one of the largest technology companies worldwide. Many often ask: How many are employed there? The answer helps in the understanding of how far the company operationalises and does. Latest figures showing trends over time, with percentages of where employees sit geographically and relate to work, are drawn here for all to understand.
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- Microsoft employed 228,000 employees in 2024, up by 3.17% from 2023.
- The company experienced a major workforce boom of 22.10% from 181,000 to 221,000 employees in 2022.
- Mostly steady employee growth has characterised this company over the last decade, barring 2015–2016, when employees saw a downward trend.
- It now has 81,000 individuals working in product R&D, which is a 12.50% increment from the previous year, spurred by AI expansion and the Activision-Blizzard acquisition.
- Jobs in operations declined by 3.37%, going from 89,000 to 86,000, thereby indicating a possible shift in emphasis from support to innovation.
- The sales & marketing staff had remained constant at 45,000, while administration saw a slight increase from 15,000 to 16,000.
- Microsoft granted a one-time cash bonus of 10 to 25% of the annual bonus to all employees as recognition for good performance without simultaneously increasing base pay.
- With awesome benefits, an employee can take 20 weeks of maternity leave, US$1,500 wellness reimbursement, unlimited PTO, 15% ESPP discount, and US$10,000 tuition reimbursement.
How Many People Work At Microsoft?
- The data set shows the changes in Microsoft’s workforce from 2015 to 2024. As of 2024, Microsoft had an employee population of 228,000, increasing by 3.17% from the year before.
- The company maintained a workforce of 221,000 in 2023, which meant that there was no growth in the numbers from 2022 to 2023.
- But 2022 witnessed an explosive 22.10% increase, taking it from 181,000 employees in 2021 to 221,000.
(Reference: bullfincher.io)
- In 2021, Microsoft grew its staff headcount by a robust 11.04%, from 163,000 in 2020.
- In 2020, it rose by an impressive 13.19% over the 144,000 in 2019, pointing clearly at an ever-increasing workforce.
- Growth continued ever since; 2019 numbers stood at a 9.92% increase, represented by 131,000 Microsoft employees in 2018, with a 5.65% gain from 124,000 in 2017 to 131,000 in 2018.
- Before that, in 2017, the growth rate was 8.77%, having risen from 114,000 employees in 2016.
- Interestingly enough, there was a contraction in the workforce in 2016 by 3.39% as opposed to 2015, when 118,000 were employed.
- The most considerable decrease took place in 2015 when Microsoft reduced its workforce by 7.81%, from 128,000 employees it had in 2014.
Change Over Years
|
Period |
Employees |
Year-over-Year Change |
|
2024 |
228,000 | 3.17% |
| 2023 | 221,000 |
0% |
|
2022 |
221,000 | 22.10% |
| 2021 | 181,000 |
11.04% |
|
2020 |
163,000 | 13.19% |
| 2019 | 144,000 |
9.92% |
|
2018 |
131,000 | 5.65% |
| 2017 | 124,000 |
8.77% |
|
2016 |
114,000 | -3.39% |
| 2015 | 118,000 |
-7.81% |
- In general, this set of data shows a consistent workforce growth pattern that began in 2017, peaking by 2022, followed by slower or flat growth in 2023 and 2024.
- The early dates (between 2015 and 2016) thus show the rare times of workforce reduction, juxtaposing their recent expansion.
Microsoft Employees Job Category
Increase in Product R&D Roles
- As of June 30, Microsoft had 81,000 people working in product R&D.
- This constitutes a 12.5% increase from last year, when there were fewer than 72,000.
- It is interesting to note that layoffs were taking place in other parts of the organisation.
- The primary cause for this increase is the fairly aggressive development and release of AI-related products and technologies by Microsoft.
- The company is heavily investing in this area to secure its advantage in the highly dynamic tech landscape.
Activision-Blizzard’s Acquisition Got The Spotlight
- Some activities of the R&D departments were enhanced through the finalisation of the deal in October 2023.
- In addition to the titles the deal granted for Microsoft’s catalogue, the deal also added to the headcount of its workforce, especially in product development and game technology domains.
(Source: geekwire.com)
Trends In Operations
- While operations declined in numbers by above 3% (from 89,000 to 86,000), Microsoft defines operations jobs as:
- Product support
- Consulting services
- Datacenter operations
- Manufacturing and distribution
- These further emphasise a drift away from operational roles heading towards product development and innovation.
Sales and Marketing: Now and Then
- Stable at 45,000 employees, Microsoft’s sales and marketing experienced no change from the previous year.
- Such steadiness points towards Microsoft neither expanding nor downsizing in sales and marketing.
Slight Increase in Administrative Roles
- General and administrative roles slipped by 500 employees during the year under review to land at 16,000 employees.
- These roles usually comprise legal, human resources, finance, and other back-office functions.
- The slight increase does suggest some modest growth in the support functions.
Balancing Costs with Growth
- At present, Microsoft finds itself in a challenging economic condition, hence exerting control over its operating expenses, which include employee salaries and benefits.
- The goal is to protect the operating margins, which are defined as the percentage of revenue left after operating expenses.
- Nevertheless, this should be accomplished while increasing capital expenditures on infrastructure to meet the growing demand for AI.
Special Cash Award for Employees
- Some of the cash awards will be given to employees as a thank you, in effect, for their contributions during the fiscal year.
- This cash bonus increases the value of each employee’s bonus by 10% to 25%.
- It is important to appreciate, among the many things, the employee’s efforts while remaining flexible on permanent compensation changes in an uncertain economy.
Microsoft Cuts 9,000 Jobs Amid Strategic AI Shift
- Microsoft recently let go of nearly 9,000 employees, though the exact figures were never publicly shared.
- In June 2024, Microsoft was said to be employing 228,000 people worldwide.
- That must have been preceded by an earlier round of layoffs in May 2024, eliminating about 6,000 jobs.
- The layoffs relate to Microsoft’s larger transition into AI work.
- The company noted that it wants to help employees focus on meaningful work by introducing AI and other advanced technologies.
- Microsoft stated these kinds of workforce adjustments have occurred for as long as the company has existed and will continue to be made as business needs dictate.
- Founded between 1975 and 1976, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Microsoft was among the first large tech companies to invest heavily in AI, particularly after ChatGPT was launched in 2022, which has tremendously accelerated AI innovation throughout the industry.
Top Benefits For Microsoft Employees
Microsoft is known for providing a supportive and employee-friendly work environment. Replicated below are ten miracle benefits that showcase the company culture and respect toward employee well-being:
#1. Extended Parental Leave
- Parents of newborns get plenty of time for childcare and bonding.
- Twenty weeks are granted as maternity leave, and 12 weeks are given for paternity leave.
#2. Extensive Health And Wellness Coverage
- Employees have the opportunity to subscribe to major health, dental, and vision insurance, together with short-term and long-term disability.
- Employees can also be reimbursed for wellness and fitness expenses up to US$1,500 per year.
#3. Limitless Time Off (Unlimited PTO)
- Microsoft has passed through with unlimited PTO, giving employees the freedom to take vacation or personal days whenever they feel like it, thus balancing work life.
#4. Commuting And Transportation Support
- Microsoft subsidises transport costs and has subsidised temporary rideshare costs during COVID as well (Uber/Lyft).
#5. Childcare Assistance
- Working parents may be reimbursed for up to 160 hours every year for backup childcare, thus alleviating the weight of urgent last-minute care needs.
#6. Financial Benefits And Retirement
- Through the Microsoft Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), employees get up to a 15% discount on company shares.
- The 401(k) plan matches 50% of contributions made, to a maximum of US$23,000 annually.
- Payouts from the 401(k) plan shall vest immediately and shall be fully owned by employees.
#7. Learning and Development Support
- Employees who want to pursue further education may seek tuition reimbursement for courses relating to professional development for up to US$10,000 a year with approval from their manager.
#8. Flexible Work Arrangements
- Depending on team policies, there can be an option for remote work, like a relocation bonus awarded for eligible tutorials.
#9. Community Incentive Programs
- Until US$15,000 matching, Microsoft will match charitable donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis to foster community service, compensating volunteers US$25/hour for their volunteering.
#10. Additional Lifestyle Benefits
- Located free snacks and beverages in select locations such as the Bay Area, a US$1,000 yearly contribution to HSA, and up to US$900 reimbursement for mobile phone bills in selected states.
Microsoft Statistics and Trends
- Cash Flow from Operating Activities – Q3 2024: Microsoft generated operating cash flow of US$37.2 billion in the third quarter of 2024, a 29% increase from the same period in 2023.
- Free Cash Flow – Q3 2024: Free cash flow amounted to US$23.3 billion, an 18% increase from the third quarter of 2023.
- Return of Capital to Shareholders – Q3 2024: Microsoft returned US$8.4 billion to shareholders in the third quarter of 2024, bringing the total for the fiscal year to over US$34 billion.
- Capital Expenditure – Q3 2024: Capital expense incurred by Microsoft in the third quarter of 2024 totalled US$19 billion.
- Sales and Marketing Expenses–FY 2024: Sales and marketing expenses stood at US$24.46 billion in 2024, the highest it has been in the last decade.
- R&D Expenses–FY 2024: In 2024, Microsoft invested nearly US$29 billion in R&D activities, ranking second in the world ahead of Alphabet.
- Microsoft Brand Valuation–2023: The value of the brand Microsoft soared to US$713 billion in 2023, a 42% rise over US$502 billion in 2022.
- Copilot for Microsoft 365 Growing Linearly –Q3 2024: Copilot for Microsoft 365 daily active users almost doubled quarter-on-quarter.
- Adoption of Microsoft Teams Premium – Q3 2024: There are over 3 million seats for Teams Premium subscriptions, representing a 400% increase year-over-year.
- Use of Windows 11 Devices – Q3 2024: Windows 11-active devices grew at a 50% rate compared to the previous year.
- Security Customers by Microsoft – Q3 2024: Microsoft security services now serve over 1.2 million customers.
- Office 365 Subscriptions – Q3 2024: The Office 365 subscriber base has grown by 10% to 82.5 million.
- Earnings Per Share – Q3 2024: With EPS climbing 10% year-over-year, EPS was at US$2.95.
Conclusion
Being one of the world’s largest employment generators, Microsoft employs 228,000 personnel as of June 30, 2024, with numbers rising steadily through the years. But large-scale layoffs during 2025 cut this number back by about 6-7%, while net hiring experienced a boost, particularly in AI and cloud spaces, to steer the company toward growth. Without the official number being available as yet for late 2025, experts estimate that Microsoft’s workforce lies anywhere between 220,000 and 230,000..
Sources
FAQ.
As of June 30, 2024, Microsoft had 228,000 workers around the globe, an increase of 3.17% from its count in 2023. This is lower than its peak of north of 230,000 in 2022, but the trend has for the most part been one of steady growth since 2016, save for a handful of years here and there where growth actually declined.
Microsoft employees cover several main areas: 81,000 in product R&D (up 12.5%); 86,000 in operations (down 3.37%); 45,000 in sales and marketing (no change); and 16,000 in admin (a slight rise). The rise in R&D reflects mainly AI investment and the Activision-Blizzard acquisition.
Yes. Although I had only 20 weeks for maternity leave and US$1,500 for wellness reimbursement, at Microsoft, the sick leave was truly unlimited and even had a 15% stock discount, a 401(k) match as high as US$23,000, and tuition reimbursement of US$10,000. All of these included perks such as childcare, relocation assistance, and volunteer incentives.
Yes, in Q3 2024 alone, operating cash flow was US$37.2 billion (up 29%), free cash flow was US$23.3 billion (up 18%), the company spent US$29 billion in R&D, and it returned US$8.4 billion to shareholders that quarter, so these show financially strong and balanced growth.
In 2023, Microsoft saw a higher brand valuation of US$713 billion, an increase of 42% compared to the preceding year. The number of users for its offerings went up with the adoption of Copilot for Microsoft 365 doubling, Teams Premium growing 400%, and Windows 11 devices growing 50%. Microsoft today provides security for 1.2 million customers and has 82.5 million Office 365 subscribers.
Tajammul Pangarkar is the co-founder of a PR firm and the Chief Technology Officer at Prudour Research Firm. With a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology from Shivaji University, Tajammul brings over ten years of expertise in digital marketing to his roles. He excels at gathering and analyzing data, producing detailed statistics on various trending topics that help shape industry perspectives. Tajammul's deep-seated experience in mobile technology and industry research often shines through in his insightful analyses. He is keen on decoding tech trends, examining mobile applications, and enhancing general tech awareness. His writings frequently appear in numerous industry-specific magazines and forums, where he shares his knowledge and insights. When he's not immersed in technology, Tajammul enjoys playing table tennis. This hobby provides him with a refreshing break and allows him to engage in something he loves outside of his professional life. Whether he's analyzing data or serving a fast ball, Tajammul demonstrates dedication and passion in every endeavor.
