Company Face Off: Are You A Mac Or PC? [Contest]

For years, consumers have self-identified as a Mac or a PC for people with the label as part of Apple's Mac vs. PC Fuel ads. In some studies, about two customers, the company was formed Hunch.com, and showed that many of the stereotypes are true: Mac fans are generally younger and more likely to live in cities, while PC enthusiasts tend to be politically conservative, and rather than Harley Vespa.

But let's not forget the army of designers, programmers and vendors who work in these characters. What kind of people who work at Apple and Microsoft, and what are the companies as employers? PayScale.com data revealed interesting differences in median income, benefits and work culture.

Who pays more?

PayScale data shows that Apple is starting median salary of $ 43 100, while Microsoft is almost double: $ 86,900. The median age (33 to Apple, 35 at Microsoft) and many years of experience (eight at Apple, Microsoft in nine) are roughly comparable for both companies, giving it?

Al Lee, director of qualitative data on PayScale.com said the stock value of companies is a factor. "Everyone in the technology sector, which looks at the total compensation of stock options to stock, will come to a conclusion very different," he said. "This is the kind of things that can easily be a 10 or 20 percent. Stock went nowhere at Microsoft [recent years], so they had to pay more cash compensation."

What jobs are available?

Lee also points out the types of jobs available in both companies. Both companies hire the best talent in technology, but Apple also has people from other departments are not as common at Microsoft. "They have the whole area around music and video licenses that Microsoft has a much smaller scale," he said. "All designers, media relations people, people who work in marketing iTunes Store are paid less than a developer of high-level software."

In general, the wage gap is reduced in half of his career, when the average was $ 112 000-127 000 USD Apple and Microsoft.

Packaging Perks

While the work culture of both companies often varies according to the Department, employees of Apple occupies slightly higher overall job satisfaction, while Microsoft employees rank their employer higher labor flexibility. In fact, Microsoft employees are entitled to the moon and a former Microsoft employee said he had organized a yoga class at work. "You had the freedom to create your own stress relief," says Sarah, who worked as an employee of Microsoft for two years and five years as a provider.

Lee says that Microsoft is also known for its generous vacation (three weeks per year compared to 2.1 from Apple) and paternity leave policies. Microsoft says the employee's present health coverage is the best I've ever seen. "I have zero co-pays," says Wendy. "You can order any tests the doctor's office, because it is covered. If the family is sick, and you can not see a doctor, are the doctors who make house calls."

Apple employees enjoy some advantages of their own - as a source of inspiration. A former Apple sales and marketing specialist, Hannah remembers Apple's "Passion of the product, passion for work" as she says. Now independent, she says, "I always think of me to change the world through the work I do and it's an attitude that I took to Apple. "

Just for fun, PayScale decided to compile a quiz based on the data used in research each company and Hunch.com Mac and PC users.

Quiz: Are you a Mac or PC?

1. I prefer to work:

a. Under high conifers of the Pacific Northwest.

b. It pushes the foot of the California gold.

Second when it comes to food, or I:

a. Enjoy the meat and can not imagine living without it.

b. Am or once was a vegetarian.

3. A snack, I try:

a. Sweet deals.

b. Salty goodness.

4. After work, I wind up with:

a. The white wine.

b. Red wine.

5. Politically, I am a:

a. conservative.

b. The Liberal.

6th It is important for my company to offer me:

a. Good paternity / maternity.

b. Impressive high-tech toys without.

7. I prefer:

a. A good salary, great.

b. The option is a good opportunity.

Mostly A: You are more than one person at Microsoft.

Mostly B's: You belong to Apple.