Many people will report making below average (industry standard) salaries at Gensler because that's the hard truth. Gensler offices are increasingly young and hip for a multitude of reasons, notoriety likely being chief among them, but a big driver is that more experienced design personnel won't/can't accept the salaries that Gensler pays it's 99%. Because Gensler is the largest firm in the world, the company leverages this to manipulate people into accepting wages that are hardly livable. Stressing about money was my part time job for 6 years, after both a bachelors and masters degree in the field of architecture. Be informed and don't let the infamous 'bonus conversation' fool you. Yes, Gensler employees make a bi-annual bonus and yes, that is nice but NO, it does not compensate for below industry-standard take home pay and you should not let yourself be manipulated by this myth. I challenge you to ask any Gensler employee if they would give up bonuses to make a better month-to-month salary that at least puts them on par with their peers at other firms. 100% will say yes.
Gensler is a great firm in many ways. Lots of creativity comes out of these offices. Yes, the work is often long and hard, but people can be compensated for their burnout and Gensler does not prioritize this, knowing that there is more talent out there who are willing to naively fill the spots of those who lost hope. Bill-ability creates an extremely stressful environment where overtime is encouraged, often necessary, but PAID overtime is not. Transparency is not a value that Gensler's culture encourages, with immense secrecy around wages. Just make sure, young interviewee, that you stick to your guns in salary discussions. Drum up your confidence and ask for the turnover rate of the office you are applying to. Take off the rose-colored glasses and don’t let Gensler’s prestigious reputation and industry status (as a giant) cloud your judgment. Bonuses should be just that, not a pre-hire negotiation tool that will leave you constantly worrying about money while you watch your creative talent take a backseat.
