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Tesla’s salary framework rivals top tech firms, rewarding expertise and innovation, with engineers and designers at the core of its mission to attract and retain top talent
The average annual total salary for Tesla employees is $161,894, with a key component being the vesting of Restricted Stock Units over a four-year schedule. (Representative/AP)
A recent investigation by Levels.fyi has shed light on Tesla’s salary policy, revealing that the Elon Musk-led company ensures competitive pay through a complex structure that goes beyond base salaries, with substantial stock-based rewards playing a key role in attracting and retaining top talent.
The salary framework at Tesla is designed to be competitive with other major tech industry players, particularly for high-demand positions. It focuses on rewarding technical expertise and innovation, especially for engineers and designers critical to Tesla’s mission.
Total Pay Structure
The average annual total salary for Tesla employees is $161,894, with a key component being the vesting of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) over a four-year schedule. Employees have the option to choose between stock options and RSUs, with three stock options granted for each RSU.
Software Engineers
Software engineers at Tesla command the highest salaries, with total compensation reaching up to $949,333 for a P6 level engineer in the United States. Average salaries for software engineers range from $158,160 to $440,000, with base salaries between $124,000 and $263,000, and RSUs ranging from $22,000 to $158,000.
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers at Tesla earn an average total salary ranging from $126,600 to $330,000, with base salaries between $107,000 and $205,000, and RSUs from $8,000 to $95,000.
Hardware Engineers
Hardware engineers have average total salaries between $139,300 and $400,000, base salaries from $113,000 to $232,000, and RSUs from $15,000 to $115,000.
Data Scientists
Data scientists at Tesla earn between $144,200 and $356,000 in total, with base salaries from $112,000 to $214,000 and RSUs ranging from $17,000 to $105,000.
Product Managers
Product managers’ average total salaries range from $170,000 to $435,000, including base salaries from $145,000 to $266,000 and RSUs from $20,000 to $130,000.
Technical Program Managers
Technical program managers at Tesla earn an average total salary between $158,300 and $420,000, with base salaries from $129,000 to $230,000, and RSUs from $19,000 to $125,000.
UX Designers
UX designers receive total salaries ranging from $140,500 to $368,000, including base salaries between $118,000 and $208,000, and RSUs from $12,000 to $120,000.
Firmware Engineers
Firmware engineers at Tesla earn between $139,000 and $350,000 in total, with base salaries from $116,000 to $216,000, and RSUs from $15,000 to $92,000.
Manufacturing Engineers
Manufacturing engineers have average salaries ranging from $109,200 to $285,000, with base salaries from $92,000 to $165,000, and RSUs from $5,000 to $85,000.
Industrial Designers
Industrial designers at Tesla earn between $118,500 and $300,000, with base salaries from $101,000 to $181,000, and RSUs ranging from $10,000 to $88,000.
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