This chart shows how much Google's head count surged in the AI boom

Google’s headcount is moving in the opposite direction of parts of Big Tech. In its Q3 earnings reported Wednesday, Google said it had 204,757 employees for the quarter ending September 2026—about 10,000 more than at the end of March. While companies like Meta continue cost-cutting and Microsoft has offered voluntary buyouts to 60,000 employees, Google’s payroll has risen steadily since Q2 2024 and accelerated after the end of 2025. Some growth comes from acquisitions, including Google’s March 11 completion of its Wiz purchase, adding roughly 2,000 employees. Google also reported quarterly revenue up 25% year over year.