Tesla is known for being an innovative high-tech company. It is an extensively-decorated company and the number one most attractive employer for engineering students seeking jobs in the US. Apart from exploring innovation and state-of-the-art technology, Tesla employees also enjoy great benefits that go a long way in making life easier.
Currently, Tesla Motors holds a 3.7-star rating on Glassdoor, with employees commending Tesla benefits and a great work environment. But what are the benefits and is Tesla really the most attractive employer in the tech industry? We’ve compiled a list of benefits and researched Tesla’s work environment to bring you a detailed report about working there. Read below to discover more.
Tesla Overview
Tesla, Inc. is an American manufacturing company that produces electric cars, solar panels, and clean energy products. The company was founded in 2003 as Tesla Motors, Inc., a tribute to the electrical engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla. However, in 2017, the company changed its name to Tesla, Inc. as it diversified beyond selling cars. Although Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning founded Tesla, Inc., the current CEO and majority shareholder is Elon Musk.
Tesla’s headquarters are currently in Austin, Texas, after it moved from Palo Alto, California on December 1, 2021. According to a blog post in Business Insider, the move was attributed to bringing Tesla closer to SpaceX, Tesla’s sister company. Tesla has over ten office locations worldwide, generates more than $30 billion in annual revenue, and employs over 70,000 employees.
Tesla Average Salary, Benefits, and Employee Perks
The employee compensation and benefits packages play a significant role in helping professionals select an employer. With that said, Tesla employs over 70,000 professionals, many of whom are highly-skilled individuals and the best in their field of expertise.
Therefore, the company needs to provide lucrative salaries and employee benefit packages to enhance retention and attract top tech industry experts. Below is an overview of the salaries of employees and Tesla employee benefits packages.
Tesla Salaries
The average salary for Tesla employees is $99,000, according to Payscale. However, individual wages differ depending on the role and job description. For example, a software engineer at Tesla earns about $112,615 annually, while a process engineer takes home approximately $87,717.
Although employee reviews don’t position Tesla among the best-paying employers, the salaries are solid and often come with raises and bonuses. In a recent CNBC interview, Andrew Sorkin revealed that non-unionized Tesla employees make more money than unionized workers, a statement confirmed by Elon Musk.
Tesla Employee Benefits
Health Insurance
Like other employers, Tesla provides comprehensive health insurance for its employees. The health insurance policy has been termed one of the best in the automotive industry because of its extensive options. Tesla health insurance covers prescription drugs, basic healthcare, vision, dental benefits, medical supplies, hospital accommodation, and ambulance fees.
Dental insurance covers orthodontic services, reconstructive surgeries, and preventive care. Likewise, your vision insurance will cover prescription glasses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery, and other eye-related services. Employees who use the vision insurance are also eligible for refunds of up to $200 every two years.
Life Insurance
Tesla’s life insurance is one-of-a-kind. In the event of your death, your beneficiaries are paid a lump sum depending on your coverage, usually about twice your yearly salary. The maximum payout is $1,000,000.
Similarly, you have access to accidental death and dismemberment insurance, which also comes as a lump sum compensation equal to about two years’ salary. The maximum benefit is also $1,000,000, which will be released to your next of kin in the event of accidental death.
Paid Parental Leave
Tesla understands that new parents need time off to bond and take care of their children. Employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of maternity leave. However, fathers only get a seven-week paternity leave. The time off applies to parents with newborn babies or adopted children.
Retirement and Financial Plans
Tesla provides its employees with an array of financial plans to help secure a better future. You can choose between 401 (k) plans, profit-sharing plans, or defined benefit pension plans. The employee stock purchase program (ESPP) also allows employees to contribute up to 15 percent of their base salary. You will also receive a 15 percent discount on these stocks.
Long-term Disability Insurance
The company will pay you approximately 60 percent of your salary for an extended period if you suffer from a long-term disability. However, the maximum benefit is $5,000, and it covers accidents that occur while you’re at work.
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Short-term Disability Insurance
Tesla will pay 66.7 percent of your salary for up to 17 weeks. Employees with disabilities receive a maximum of $1,000 per week throughout the duration.
Wellness Programs
Tesla understands that working in the fast-paced auto industry can take a toll on your body. Therefore, the company has set up onsite gym facilities, which also come with fitness classes. You will have unlimited access to these facilities and receive an unspecified wellness reimbursement to help with your expenses.
Paid-Time Off
Tesla’s time off system is simple and modern. Simply reach out to the management team and together, you will come to an agreement on vacation days for the year. There is no minimum or maximum amount of days you can take off.
Training Programs
Whether you work at the Tesla Gigafactory, company headquarters, or any Tesla manufacturing facility, you must attend regular training programs. Tesla introduces various training programs to improve employee skills, teach new technology, or groom new hires. For example, the Tesla Start Program is an intensive 16-week curriculum for new hires or students working at Tesla.
These training programs allow employees to grow professionally and acquire new tech skills. You can also use your expertise from these programs to rise in rank within the company.
Tesla Bonuses
Tesla employees receive an average of $8,367 in bonuses every year. Payscale places the overall range between $2,457 and $30,000, depending on your position. The site indicates that the highest bonuses go to senior software engineers, while data analysts receive approximately $2,457 in annual bonuses.
Additionally, Tesla offers signing bonuses to lure top talent in the industry. A survey by Comparably suggests that about 50 percent of Tesla employees received a signing bonus. The most popular signing bonuses ranged between $1,000 and $5,000. Further employee reviews suggested that employees with a master’s degree can receive up to $10,000 in signing bonuses.
Tesla Employee Discount
Tesla employees are eligible for up to 35 percent off on all Tesla Motors products and services. The discounts apply to entertainment, company apparel, childcare services, travel services, and more.
Other Tesla Perks
Other perks for Tesla employees include tuition reimbursement, business travel insurance, tax breaks, stock market consultation services, gynecology services, and overtime compensation. Additional incentives include transport allowance, access to company shuttles, snacks, and a $50 reimbursement on your phone bill. Tesla implements these incentives to ensure employees are comfortable in the fast-paced organization.
What’s It Like to Work at Tesla
Working at Tesla requires skill, knowledge of the company’s products, innovation, and problem-solving skills. Tesla employee reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed indicate that working at Tesla is demanding. However, the fast-paced work environment also provides several learning opportunities to advance your career. Below is an in-depth explanation of the work environment and work/life balance.
Tesla Working Environment
Tesla aims to provide a collaborative and inclusive work environment for its employees. According to the website, the company promotes a safe, innovative, and inclusive work culture for experienced professionals and those starting in their respective fields.
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Tesla received a 3.7 out of 5-star rating on Glassdoor, where employees regarded the work environment as challenging yet rewarding. Additionally, employees appreciate the learning opportunities and access to an amazing team of experts in engineering and other career paths.
However, like all other employers, the clean energy leader has also received negative reviews, with employees terming the workplace as “toxic”. A few ex-employees talked to Business Insider and explained that they left the company due to the toxic work environment, long hours, lack of job security, and pressure to deliver. But be that as it may, the experience is always different for every employee, and most Tesla employees only have positive remarks about their experience at the company.
Tesla Work/Life Balance
Tesla understands that a work/life balance is essential to ensure employees stay productive and motivated in a high-pressure environment. For this reason, the company provides ample time off for employees to recharge. The company has an impressive vacation policy that gives employees unlimited access to paid vacation days. You have to liaise with the management team, who are always willing to help employees achieve a stable work/life balance.
However, you may have to work long hours to meet company deadlines on some days. For example, when the company is working on a new model or increasing production at the battery factories, you will likely experience long working hours. The good thing is all these sacrifices are compensated handsomely, with overtime payments and paid time off.
Lastly, Tesla prioritizes time off for new parents. Whether you are delivering a newborn or adopting a child, Tesla will give you up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave so you can bond with your child. Typically, fathers are eligible for seven-week paternity leave, and mothers are eligible for 12 weeks. In addition, the company provides adoption services to parents seeking these services.
How to Work for Tesla
As mentioned earlier, Tesla is an attractive employer for engineering students and professionals in the automobile industry. The company is among the largest manufacturers worldwide, producing the best-selling plug-in electric vehicles and other products. But how can you work for Tesla? Below are some tips to help you navigate the application process and blend with the team.
- Embrace high-pressure working environments. You already know Tesla is a fast-paced environment where employees deliver only the best results. Several Glassdoor reviews also indicated that the CEO is very strict on timelines and work schedules, which works for a committed and hardworking employee.
- Highlight your skills. If you are wondering how to get a job at Tesla, the best place to start is by showcasing your skills. Tesla’s hiring managers will need to see how you analyze situations and derive conclusions by testing your technical skills. The interview process involves aptitude tests and questions that gauge your technical ability. You can improve your skills through online courses or short-term coding bootcamps that focus on specific aspects of technology. The essential skills include engineering, multi-tasking, programming, CAD, data analysis, communication, creativity, subject matter expertise, and more.
- Become proactive. To work at Tesla, you must embrace autonomy at work. The company appreciates self-motivated employees who don’t need round-the-clock guidance. In fact, the entire work process at Tesla is based on innovation, creativity, and thinking outside the box.
- Learn about the company. Tesla has a rich and inspiring history. Therefore, before you join the company, take time to learn its history and work culture. Showing that you’re in tune with Tesla proves that you keep up with the company’s operations.
- Prepare for your interview. Interviews are nerve-racking, and Tesla interviews are no joke. You will undergo three or more steps before you can finally join the team. Therefore, take the time to prepare for your interview, research a few mock questions, and remember to submit a well-prepared resume beforehand.
Jobs You Can Get at Tesla
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Manager | $171,675 per year |
| Technical Program Manager | $113,315 per year |
| Mechanical Engineer | $105,615 per year |
| Quality Engineer | $104,385 per year |
| HR Business Partner | $94,039 per year |
| Production Supervisor | $91,502 per year |
| Equipment Maintenance Technician | $69,474 per year |
| Data Analyst | $66,139 per year |
| Service Technician | $60,159 per year |
| Warehouse Associate | $40,485 per year |
Should You Get a Job at Tesla?
Yes, working at Tesla is both career-changing and a chance for you to work at a history-making organization. The company offers many learning opportunities, impressive employee benefits, and an opportunity to work with an amazing team of professionals. In addition, Tesla is a world-renowned manufacturer of clean energy products and vehicles.
Furthermore, if you go through Tesla reviews on Glassdoor, approximately 64 percent of current and former employees would recommend the company to a friend. The wide range of career opportunities is also a plus. Whether you are a software engineer, delivery employee, technician, or production employee, there’s room for you to flourish at Tesla Inc.
Tesla Benefits FAQ
Yes, Tesla offers amazing benefits, which ensures they attract the best professionals in the industry. You will receive comprehensive health insurance, paid parental leave, regular training, unlimited vacation days, stock market opportunities, and so much more. The company’s goal is to ensure all employees are comfortable.
Yes, it is 100 percent worth it. Tesla is the largest manufacturer of electric cars and other game-changing products in technology. In fact, CEO Elon Musk spearheads other interesting ventures like flying to space through SpaceX. You will learn a lot and work with a team of highly-skilled colleagues. Tesla is a great employer for any innovator in tech.
Yes. Getting a job at Tesla is not easy. The company receives thousands of applications and maintains a high hiring standard. In fact, you may be the ideal candidate but fail to pass through the hiring process. That’s why preparation and research are essential for all applicants.
Full-time Tesla employees are eligible for most, if not all, benefits. However, the benefits may differ for freelancers, interns, apprentices, and part-time employees. Tesla adheres to federal laws in each state and country when it comes to employee benefits and perks.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
