Google's status as the dream tech job is changing. FOMO over AI salaries is only one reason why.

Google's reputation as a dream employer is evolving in the AI era. Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images Google has long been regarded as a dream employer in tech. Some current and former employees say that reputation has become more complicated. AI startups, layoffs, and the desire for greater impact are reshaping career decisions. Earning nearly $1 million a year wasn't enough to keep Yousuf Imran at Google. In 2026, Imran earned $986,000 as a Google account executive, largely from s...