Companies Amgen

Amgen

Thousand Oaks

Total Offices: 29

33,694 Total Employees

Year Founded: 1980

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Amgen Compensation & Benefits

Updated on September 09, 2026

This page summarizes recurring themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Amgen and has not been reviewed or approved by Amgen.

How are the compensation & benefits at Amgen?

Strengths in retirement programs, generous time-off design, and dependable incentive elements coexist with concerns about base pay competitiveness, equity accessibility, and the pace of salary progression. Together, these dynamics suggest a well-rounded total rewards package whose perceived value can vary by role, location, and emphasis on cash versus near-term equity outcomes.

Key Insight for Candidates

Defining tradeoff: Amgen optimizes for total rewards over top‑tier base pay—pairing generous 401(k) contributions, annual bonus/equity, and rare biannual paid shutdowns with typically modest annual raises. This matters if you value long‑term wealth and predictable time off; pure cash maximizers may find base salary underwhelming.

Evidence in Action

U.S. Biannual Paid Shutdowns — Two paid company shutdowns in July and December are a documented organizational practice for U.S. employees. This provides predictable, collective time off without using PTO, supporting work-life balance, recovery, and coordinated planning across teams.
401(k) Core Plus Match — A 5% core nonelective 401(k) contribution plus up to a 5% company match is a documented plan design. Employees build retirement savings faster, enhancing total rewards value and long-term financial security, particularly for contributors who receive the full match.

Positive Themes About Amgen

Retirement Support: Retirement programs feature a 401(k) with company matching and related savings options, with references to a pension plan also being available. Feedback suggests these resources are robust and support long-term financial security.
Leave & Time Off Breadth: Time off includes an award-winning PTO program and bi-annual U.S. company shutdowns that provide paid weeks off without drawing down PTO. Additional supports such as adoption assistance and flexible work further extend the utility of time away.
Strong & Reliable Incentives: Compensation commonly includes annual bonus opportunities alongside stock-based long-term incentives. Feedback suggests bonuses and equity grants are a regular component of total compensation.

Considerations About Amgen

Stagnant Pay & Limited Progression: Merit increases are characterized as modest, with some labeling raises as inadequate. This contributes to perceptions of slow pay progression, especially in higher cost-of-living areas.
Low or Inaccessible Equity: Equity awards carry lengthy vesting periods that limit near-term value realized each year. This structure reduces the immediate impact of stock in overall compensation.
Unfair & Opaque Compensation: Base salaries are depicted as lower than competitors in certain roles and locations, and pay can be inconsistent across similar job levels. This dynamic can leave individuals feeling undervalued relative to market and peers.

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These insights are generated using AI and may not reflect internal data or verified company information. They are intended solely for general informational purposes and should not be considered a definitive assessment of the company’s reputation. If you are a representative of this company, and would like this page to be removed, you may contact us via this form.