Airbnb Employees Reviews, Feedback, Testimonials

Employee Testimonials

I’ve spoken with current and former employees across design, engineering, ops, and host support to get a rounded sense of working at Airbnb. Most people describe pride in the product and mission — helping people belong anywhere resonates. A lot of folks say the work feels meaningful and that peers are smart, curious, and collaborative. On the flip side, some employees mention occasional frustration with changing priorities and the pressure that comes with a high-growth, consumer-facing company. If you search for "company culture at Airbnb" or "working at Airbnb," you’ll see a mix of glowing stories about autonomy and honest notes about the fast pace.

Company Culture

The company culture at Airbnb is often described as mission-driven and design-forward. Teams emphasize hospitality, community, and experimenting with new ideas. There’s an open, informal vibe in many groups; people tend to value empathy and storytelling as much as technical skill. That said, culture varies by team — small product groups may feel very different from large operations units. Diversity and inclusion efforts are visible, but employees say the lived experience depends on leadership in each area.

Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance at Airbnb is realistic rather than perfect. Many roles, especially in product and engineering, can demand long hours around launches or crisis moments. However, the company supports flexibility, and managers often allow remote days or adjusted schedules. If balance is your top priority, choose teams that are known for steady execution rather than high-risk, high-reward projects. Searching "work-life balance at Airbnb" will pull up stories across the spectrum — some teams manage balance well, others expect extra hustle.

Job Security

Job security has improved since the COVID-era turbulence, but it isn’t immune to market cycles. Airbnb made sizable reductions in 2020 during the pandemic and has since rebuilt. Most employees feel reasonably secure when business is healthy, but there’s awareness that consumer travel can be seasonal and sensitive to economic shifts. In short: relatively secure, but not bulletproof.

Leadership and Management

Senior leadership is generally praised for clear storytelling and a strong product vision. Executives articulate the company’s mission and strategic priorities, which helps teams align. Middle management quality varies more — some managers are excellent coaches who invest in development, while others are more execution-focused. Overall, leadership sets a compelling direction but relies on managers to translate that into day-to-day reality.

Manager Reviews

Managers at Airbnb are often described as smart and supportive, with a bias for autonomy. Good managers provide context, remove blockers, and advocate for their teams. Less effective managers may struggle with prioritization or communicating changes quickly. Many employees recommend asking behavioral questions about management style during interviews — your experience will depend heavily on the specific manager and team.

Learning & Development

Airbnb offers resources for learning: internal workshops, speaker series, and some budget for external courses and conferences. Mentorship is common, and cross-functional exposure is easy if you’re proactive. Formal L&D programs are available but not always consistent across departments. If career growth matters, seek teams with strong mentorship and sponsoring managers.

Opportunities for Promotions

Promotions happen, but they’re competitive. High performers who show impact, ownership, and cross-team influence move up reasonably quickly. There’s a defined leveling system in technical and business tracks, which helps set expectations. That said, timing varies by department and headcount availability, so being visible and delivering measurable results helps.

Salary Ranges

Compensation at Airbnb is competitive with major tech peers. Approximate ranges (US, pre-tax) you might expect: software engineers $120k–$300k total comp depending on level and location; product managers $130k–$300k; designers $100k–$220k; operations and support roles $45k–$120k. These are rough figures — location, level, and equity mix greatly affect totals.

Bonuses & Incentives

Bonuses and equity are common parts of the package. Airbnb typically offers performance bonuses and equity grants (RSUs) for many roles, with vesting schedules standard in the industry. Sales or revenue-linked teams may have additional incentive plans. Expect a mix of base, bonus, and equity rather than heavy cash-only compensation.

Health and Insurance Benefits

Benefits are generally strong: comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans in core markets, plus mental health resources and employee assistance programs. Parental leave is competitive and there are wellness stipends in many locations. Benefits tend to be a highlight in candidate conversations.

Employee Engagement and Events

Airbnb invests in culture-building: company-wide meetings, team offsites, hackathons, and community events. Pre-pandemic, global retreats and in-person gatherings were a big part of engagement; hybrid models continue. Employees value the social events but note that participation can depend on workload and travel schedules.

Remote Work Support

Airbnb supports hybrid and remote work depending on role. The company provides tools, stipends, and policies to help remote employees, but expectations vary by team. Some roles are fully distributed; others need on-site presence for collaboration. If remote work is a must-have, confirm the team’s stance early in the process.

Average Working Hours

Typical workweeks are around 40–50 hours for many roles, with spikes during product launches or key deadlines. Managers often try to protect heads-down time, but real hours depend on role, team, and seasonality in travel.

Attrition Rate & Layoff History

Airbnb had a major reduction in 2020 tied to the pandemic, which shaped subsequent hiring and policy decisions. Since then, hiring has resumed and attrition varies by function; some teams see higher churn due to market demand for talent. The company has been more measured about layoffs, but like any consumer tech firm, it adjusts staffing to market conditions.

Overall Company Rating

Score: 4.1/5

Justification: Airbnb scores highly for mission alignment, product impact, compensation, and benefits. It’s a strong choice if you want meaningful work with smart peers and competitive pay. The main caveats are variable manager experience, team-dependent work-life balance, and sensitivity to market cycles. If you value "company culture at Airbnb" and can pick the right team, this is a great place to grow.