CarGurus
CarGurus Benefits Overview
We reward our Gurus' curiosity and passion with best-in-class benefits and compensation, including equity for all employees, both when they start and as they continue to grow with us. Our career development and corporate giving programs, as well as our employee resource groups (ERGs) and communities, help people build connections while making an impact in personally meaningful ways. A flexible hybrid model and robust time off policies encourage work-life balance and individual well-being. Thoughtful perks like daily lunch and commuting cost stipends, new car discounts, meditation and fitness apps, and more help our people create space for what matters most in their personal and professional lives.
Compensation + Benefits
Offers 401(K)
We offer a 401(k) plan with pre and post-tax Roth contribution options via Fidelity. Auto enrollment after 30 days. CG matches 50% of contributions up to 8%. Employee contributions are 100% vested
Offers disability insurance
In the event of a non-work-related injury or sickness, CarGurus pays a monthly benefit for short-term disability for up to 12 weeks, and long-term disability for those who qualify
Offers charitable contribution matching
Drive Change, CarGurus' charitable giving program, includes donation matching opportunities, as well as corporate giving, annual service weeks, and a charity auction
Provides free access to financial advisors
401(k) and financial wellness partners offer advisor access at no additional cost
Offers supplemental life insurance
Gurus can purchase extra life coverage beyond the company-paid Sun Life basic benefit
Offers accidental death & dismemberment insurance
AD&D coverage adds financial protection for serious covered accidents
Provides 401(K) matching
CG matches 50 cents of every dollar of 401(k) contributions up to 8% of your eligible compensation. You're 50% vested after one year of employment, 100% vested after two years
Offers life insurance
We offer Basic Life and AD&D Insurance; beneficiaries get 2X your annual earnings up to $500K. Add'l coverage can be purchased for spouse/partners/children
Provides hardship benefits
In qualifying situations, Gurus can access hardship support through our retirement savings plan
Provides free access to retirement planning tools
Online tools, calculators, and education support long-term saving and planning
Offers occupational accident insurance
Additional coverage helps protect Gurus in the event of covered work-related injuries
Provides adoption assistance
All employees are eligible for 8 weeks of parental leave + 4 weeks for adoption/foster care. We reimburse adoption expenses of up to $10K annually, up to $20K lifetime
Hosts company-sponsored family events
We connect regularly in and out of the office through private team events and CG-wide celebrations, including a Presidents Club winners trip and legendary company party (IYKYK)
Offers generous parental leave
We offer 19+ weeks of paid leave for birthing parents (including 15 gradual return days) and 8 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents
Provides fertility benefits
To supplement medical coverage, Gurus get fertility health and family-forming benefits including adoption, in-vitro fertilization, egg/sperm freezing, and menopause support
Offers eldercare benefits and resources
Gurus can access referrals and support for eldercare planning through multiple programs and services
Offers childcare benefits
Gurus have access to babysitters, nannies, senior caregivers, home health aides, dog walkers, pet sitters, and more plus 8 free days of emergency child backup care
Provides family medical leave
In addition to FMLA, CG has a private plan which provides benefit amounts above those available through the MA Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) program
Provides a post-parental leave return-to-work program
Gradual return days and manager support help new parents transition back to work
Provides an onsite Mother's Room
Dedicated, private Mother’s Rooms in our offices support pumping and nursing parents during the workday
Offers company equity
We offer Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to new hires, subject to time-based vesting tied to employment. Gurus have the potential to earn more RSUs through retention programs and eligible promotions
Provides relocation assistance
Relocation assistance is available depending on role level and location. Ask your recruiter for details
Designated President's Club
Top-performing sales Gurus and select internal partners are honored with an annual President’s Club trip and company-wide recognition
Offers competitive compensation and rewards package
Base pay, bonuses, equity, and benefits are benchmarked to stay market-competitive
Defined structured pay bands with transparent earning potential
Promotion-related pay increases clearly defined
Offers employee discounts
After 2 years of employment, Gurus are eligible to receive up to $1,250 towards the purchase of a vehicle from a CarGurus dealer-partner
Offers performance bonuses
We recognize and reward success. Depending on your role, you may be eligible for our sales incentive or employee bonus program, which are designed to align with individual and company performance
Provides home-office stipend for remote employees
Our IT Service Desk provides a number of peripherals and accessories for at-home productivity for full-time remote Gurus
Provides pay transparency
We support pay transparency through shared salary ranges, clear role levels, and open dialogue about compensation
Defined commission tiers and policy for applicable employees
Travel and expense policies outline what’s covered, limits, and how to submit
Offers top-of-market total rewards package
RSUs, incentive plans, and robust benefits and perks ensure our Total Rewards offerings are compelling and competitive
Geographic pay differences are clearly defined and explained
Offers dental insurance
Our no-deductible dental coverage includes 4 cleanings a year and orthodontia coverage for children and adults
Offers health insurance
Health insurance is provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield with two PPO options to choose from including a PPO Saver Plan with HSA, to which CG contributes
Offers vision insurance
Our vision coverage includes an annual eye exam as well as contacts, lenses, and frames. Gurus also have access to discounts on prescriptions and laser vision correction
Offers transgender health care benefits
Inclusive medical coverage supports gender-affirming care and related services through our health plans
Offers Health Savings Account (HSA)
We offer an HSA eligible medical plans and contribute to participating employee's HSA accounts
Offers dependent care
Dependent Care FSA options help cover qualified child and dependent care costs with pre-tax dollars
Offers Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
To best support our Gurus and their families, CarGurus offers three different Flexible Spending Accounts to help employees cover qualified health care and/or dependent care expenses
Offers pet insurance
Gurus love their furry, feathered, and scaly friends. We offer a pet insurance discount program through MetLife
Offers mental health benefits
Gurus get a free Headspace subscription, counseling services, fitness options, and access to resources for stress management, burnout prevention, and more
Offers abortion travel benefits
We cover travel for reproductive care that's not available in-state, such as transportation, car rental, mileage, and lodging costs. 1:1 virtual visits with fertility health experts are also available
Offers immediate health care coverage on employee start date
Eligible Gurus begin health coverage on day one, avoiding gaps in care
Company Culture
Provides commuter benefits
Our commuter benefit covers up to $340 monthly for parking, train fare, and other commuting expenses. For those who walk or bike to the office, there is a $100 monthly stipend
Provides onsite office parking
Our commuter benefit covers up to $340 monthly (the federal maximum) to use at our on-site or nearby parking garages
Provides free snacks and drinks
We offer an array of high-quality snacks. Our HQ has a fully staffed barista bar that serves complimentary espresso-based drinks to order, plus cold brew, kombucha, and beer on tap
Employees provided with well-designed, comfortable workspace
Our state-of-the-art Boston #GuruHQ opened in 2024. It inclues ergonomic setups, extensive amenities, and abundant space and natural light and space to support the hard work of our teams
Offers travel concierge services
Business travel is supported by partners and tools that simplify booking, policy compliance, and logistics
Provides free daily meals
In-office Gurus get a $15 lunch stipend toward 9-12 restaurants daily, making them free for most, with delivery to the office. We ensure options reflect diverse cuisines and accommodate food allergies
Office is pet friendly
While we can't have pets in our offices, we welcome them on team calls and celebrate them daily in our #pet-pics Slack community. We also offer comprehensive pet insurance through MetLife
Some meals provided
A $15 stipend makes lunch free for most; we also offer many high-quality snacks and beverages. Our Dining Club connects employees and leaders for local restaurant dinners every quarter
Office has designated quiet areas and collaboration zones
Wellness rooms, phone booths, huddle spaces, and lounges support different employee needs
Offers legal assistance
Legal resources through our benefits partners can help with personal legal questions and basic planning
Has a dedicated diversity and inclusion staff
Our Community team partners with open-to-all, employee-led ERGs and leaders to drive belonging across CG
Has a highly diverse management team
Diverse voices power innovation! Our managers, directors, and leaders bring a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to our work each day
Offers diversity-based Employee Resource Groups
We have 8 ERGs that welcome, support, and connect Gurus—AccessAbililty@CG, API@CG, CareGivers@CG, CG Salutes Service, LGBTQ+@CG, Parents@CG, POC@CG, and Women@CG plus Women in Tech and Women in Sale
Has a diversity recruitment program
We source talent from job boards, career fairs, learning programs, and student organizations that support candidates from underrepresented groups
Has a documented equal pay policy
Pay policies and regular reviews help promote fair, consistent compensation across roles and levels
Mean gender pay gap is below 10%
Ongoing analysis helps us minimize the potential for gender pay gaps and address any disparities we find quickly
Hiring practices promote diversity
We source candidates with a range of backgrounds and use structured interviewing to ensure consistency in how we evaluate candidates
Utilizes a flexible work schedule
We have a hybrid model; employees are in the office 60% of the time. They work with their managers to find the cadence that makes sense for them and their teams
Utilizes restricted work hours
We respect after-hours and PTO boundaries, and encourage Gurus to pause notifications, block focus time, and update their Slack status to help manage their time
Utilizes a hybrid work model
Boston-based Gurus are in the office 60% of the time; some align specific days with their manager and team
In-office days / expectations are defined
Managers communicate preferred in-office days, if any, so teams can plan collaboration and team time
Established expectations for communication between time zones
Cross-time-zone teams may agree on overlap hours, handoff norms, and primary channels
Defined boundaries around off-hours communication
Leaders model healthy norms for after-hours messages and encourage delayed send where possible
Provides work from home flexibility
CarGurus offers work-from-home flexibility through its hybrid model, floating remote days, and other flexible work options
Offers a remote work program
Field sales roles are remote by design, as are other roles on a case-by-case basis. Gurus enjoy added flexibility with Floating Remote Days, and two Boston-wide Flex Weeks during July and year’s end
Allows work from home occasionally
Office-based Gurus have the flexibility to work from home; some align specific days with their manager and team.
Defined working hours and availability expectations
Teams may set shared norms for core hours, meeting windows, contact channels, and response times
Async-friendly policies, culture that encourage work flexibility
CarGurus supports flexible work through dediecated tech, async tools, Google suite, and clear communication norms
Documented overtime policy
Written guidelines help ensure any extra hours are used thoughtfully and handled fairly across teams
Flexible work schedule is defined with set expectations for start times, working hours and availability
Flexible work schedules are guided by clear team expectations around start times, working hours, and availability
Utilizes an open door policy that encourages accessibility
Leaders and managers are expected to be approachable and transparent. Expect regular via open-door time and communication
Engineering team utilizes pair programming
Engineers pair on complex work to share context, improve quality, and mentor teammates
Uses an OKR operational model to clearly define goals and priorities
Some teams use OKRs to define what matters most each quarter and how impact will be measured
Hosts in-person revenue kickoff meetings
Revenue teams meet in person for annual kickoffs and quartlery connects to align strategy, celebrate wins, and build momentum.
Defined values and mission statements
Our mission and values guide daily decisions and connect Gurus’ work to our broader purpose
Defined policies promoting a professional, respectful workplace
Conduct, anti-harassment, and anti-discrimination policies protect Gurus.
Prioritizes real-world impact of work in decision-making processes
Employees are at the center of all decisions when we set objectives and prioritize work
Promotes a strong in-person office culture
In-office days emphasize collaboration, connection, and access to on-site perks and events
Leadership encourages open, transparent debate
Leadership encourages open, transparent debate through monthly Welcome, Ask Me Anything sessions with our CEO, plus Town Halls and All-Hands
Documented policies and procedures to protect employee privacy and data
Rigorous security and privacy standards govern how we handle employee data
Open office floor plan to encourage communication and collaboration
Offices include open spaces, huddle rooms, idea zones, and lounges designed for collaboration
Implements team-based strategic planning
Teams co-create quarterly OKRs and plans that ladder up to company strategy and goals
Hosts in-person all-hands meetings
Many CG teams have regular, in-person all-hands meetings at which they share updates, celebrate success, recognize individual contributions, and discuss what's to come
Documented operating principles
Company-wide operating principles outline how we work, make decisions, and collaborate across functions
Promotes a people-first, social culture
Office events, ERGs, slack groups and more help Gurus build meaningful relationships with leaders and each other
Prioritizes mission-driven work in decision-making processes
Decisions are guided by the real-world impact our work can have in building trust and transparency for shoppers, dealers, and partners
Policies promote a low-ego, team-driven culture
Collaboration is a core value at CarGurus and essential to our success
Leadership is transparent and communicative
Leaders share regular updates through Ask Me Anythings, Town Halls, and written communications
Mistakes are treated as learning opportunities
Our culture encourages ownership and experimentation. We share mistakes and learnings across all levels across a range of forums
Quarterly engagement surveys to gauge employee satisfaction
Company-wide surveys capture feedback on culture, leadership, growth, and well-being
Managers offer consistent feedback loops
Regular 1:1s, quarterly check-ins, and structured reviews give Gurus timely coaching, praise, and guidance
Provides resources to build team camaraderie
Events both in and out of the office help teams connect, celebrate, and build trust
Encourages autonomy and ownership from employees
Gurus are trusted to own outcomes, make decisions, and shape how work gets done
Managers give public shoutouts and celebrate employee milestones
Promotions, anniversaries, and major wins are recognized in company forums
Established employee awards to honor work and contributions
Formal awards and spot recognitions celebrate Gurus who go above and beyond for our customers, products, and teams
Company or teams have recognition rituals for individual work
Shoutouts in Ask Me Anythings, Town Halls, Slack channels, and team meetings highlight impact
Provides modern technology across teams
#GuruHQ is equipped with multi-tech collaboration suites featuring large screens with seamless video call integration support productivity and innovation
Transparent sharing of company-wide eNPS scores
Engagement survey results are shared broadly, along with themes and follow-up actions
Employee feedback used to shape policies and strategy
Survey data, listening sessions, and ERG input inform changes to programs and priorities
Work-Life Balance + Wellbeing
Offers company-sponsored outings
We connect regularly in and out of the office through private team events and CG-wide celebrations, including a President's Club winners trip and company party
Offers fitness stipend
Get $150 back for fitness activities and another $150 for qualified weight loss programs. HQ employees get free access to in-building gym and all Gurus get a subscription to Studio SWEAT fitness app
Provides access to an onsite gym
HQ Gurus have free 24/7 access to an in-building gym with a trainer, locker service, and shower facilities
Provides recreational clubs
Gurus connect in-person and virtually for game nights, book clubs, travel talk, scotch tastings, dining out, and more
Offers wellness programs
Visit our wellness rooms for prayer, quiet time, and meditation. Ongoing programming includes onsite eye exams, nutrition and mental health seminars, Red Cross first aid training, and more
Has employee-led culture committees
Employee committees design events, traditions, and initiatives that shape our day-to-day culture
Works with employees to create a sustainable work pace
Managers work with Gurus to adjust priorities and workload when capacity is tight
Provides employees with ability to schedule focus-time blocks
Gurus are encouraged to block calendar focus time and pause notifications
Flexibility provided during personal challenges
During difficult times, Gurus can work with managers on temporary schedule or workload shifts
Offers gym membership
Fitness stipends, Studio SWEAT access, and HQ gym benefits support Gurus’ health and fitness goals
Provides opportunities to volunteer in the local community
CarGurus' Drive Change program empowers employees to make real impact through charitable giving, donation matching, sponsorship support, and volunteerism
Offers company-sponsored happy hours
We host regular happy hours with non-alcoholic options and fun bites. Our HQ game room and roof deck are equipped with beer and wine taps
Partners with nonprofits
CG partners year-round with various nonprofit orgs to drive innovation, support people in need, and train tomorrow's tech leaders
Offers team workouts
ERGs and teams host group fitness events, plus we have a running club, bike room, and 24/7 on-site gym at our HQ with a trainer and locker service
Offers Employee Resource Groups
We have 8 ERGs that welcome, support, and connect Gurus—AccessAbililty@CG, API@CG, CareGivers@CG, CG Salutes Service, LGBTQ+@CG, Parents@CG, POC@CG, and Women@CG plus Women in Tech and Women in Sales
Provides onsite meditation space
Wellness rooms provide on-site quiet space for prayer, reflection, and meditation during the workday
Offers wellness initiatives designed to combat burnout and mental fatigue
Virtual fitness app, on-site gym, recharge days, wellness talks, and meditation app help reduce burnout risk
Managers trained on identifying and mitigating employee burnout
Manager trainings cover spotting burnout signs and taking early action
Offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Our EAP offers 24/7 confidential counseling, resources, and referrals for employees and families
Offers generous PTO
Gurus get vacation and holiday time + unlimited sick and personal time off. They use the latter for medical appointments, kids' school events, deliveries, religious holidays we don't have off, etc.
Provides paid holidays
Gurus receive 13 paid company holidays each year, in addition to vacation, and unlimited personal and sick time
Offers sabbatical leave
Get one month of paid sabbatical every 5 years. People use this time to take dream vacations, visit family abroad, and attend playoff games... or to do nothing at all!
Offers a flexible time off policy
Vacation, unlimited sick/personal time, and flexible days support a wide range of time-off needs
Provides bereavement leave
Employees may take up to 7 days of paid bereavement leave for the death of a close family member
Procedures in place to ensure employees utilize PTO
Leaders encourage time away to truly disconnect and recharge
Offers unpaid extended leave
In select situations, extended unpaid leave may be available with manager and HR approval
Offers paid volunteer time
CG offers paid volunteer time during annual service days through which we support nonprofit partners with career coaching, food prep and service, waste cleanup, and more
Provides paid sick days
Unlimited sick leave gives Gurus time off to care for their own physical or mental health and/or that of a family member
Provides wellness days
We supplement our flexible hybrid model and unlimited personal/sick time off with periodic Recharge days off each year and ongoing wellness programming like on-site yoga and expert talks
Provides floating holidays
Utilizes company-wide vacation
We supplement our flexible hybrid model, vacation time off, and 13 company holidays plus unlimited personal/sick time with periodic mental health days off each year
Provides military leave
Job-protected leave supports Gurus serving in the armed forces, reserves, or National Guard
Provides sick leave
Unlimited sick time and disability plan gives Gurus flexibility to care for their own or a family member’s physical or mental health
Career Growth + Development
Provides continuing education stipend
We offer up to $10K per calendar year for tuition reimbursement for graduate-level courses and $5K for undergrad
Offers mentorship program
Spark is open to all employees for career growth and connection; Inside Sales Mentoring helps new reps ramp faster with structured support from managers and experienced individual contributors
Provides paid industry certifications
To help our Gurus reach their personal and professional development goals, we offer stipends for industry certifications that vary by role and department
Allows employees to pursue continuing education during work hours
Our Career Development Model builds in time for outside learning and development, and we encourage Gurus to pause notifications and block focus time as needed
Provides personal development training
Workshops and speaker sessions build skills like delivering feedback, inclusive leadership, and influence
Provides structured onboarding for new employees
Guru Onboarding (GO) is our new hire orientation program that prepares new Gurus with the knowledge necessary to start their new role with confidence and enthusiasm
Provides opportunities to take on expanding responsibilities
Pit Stop Days give engineers dedicated time away from project work to focus on learning, innovation, and tools that support growth
Defines roles and sets expectations for success
Role profiles and OKRs spell out responsibilities, impact goals, and what success looks like at CG
Provides formal manager training and leadership development
Offers structured training and development programs that strengthen manager effectiveness and build leadership capability
Provides tuition assistance
We offer up to $10K per calendar year for tuition reimbursement for graduate-level courses and $5K for undergrad for employees working 30+ hours a week
Job training & conferences
Our Career Development Model includes time for outside learning and development. We think this makes our people more well-rounded and connected
Provides online course subscriptions
Hosts Lunch and Learns
Our regular info sessions include a monthly "Welcome, Ask Me Anything" (WAMA) series with senior leaders, quarterly Town Halls, and product and skill-focused seminars with internal and external SMEs
Provides tuition reimbursement
We offer up to $10K per calendar year for tuition reimbursement for graduate-level courses and $5K for undergrad for employees working 30+ hours a week
Offers apprenticeship programs
Our early career programs make soon-to-be and recent grads fully immersed members of our teams. We supplement their daily work with professional development workshops and networking events
Provides structured early-career growth opportunities
Interns and new grads join early-career programs with real projects, workshops, and mentors
Encourages knowledge sharing and cross-functional collaboration
Ask Me Anythings, Town Halls, and department all hands meetings help teams share context and learn from each other
Provides training support and resources for AI adoption
Supports AI adoption with training, practical resources, and guidance that help teams use new tools confidently and responsibly
Managers hold regular development check-ins
Quarterly 1:1s and review touchpoints supplement daily and weekly engagement to keep growth goals, feedback, and next steps front and center
Provides customized development tracks
Our Career Development Model gives employees role-specific growth paths tied to leadership capabilities, domain expertise, and next-step growth
Documented internal promotion policy
A written promotion policy outlines criteria, timelines, and decision-makers so Gurus understand how promotions work
Documented path to leadership development
Our Career Development Model and promotion guidelines help employees see the path to advancement while manager trainings, mentorship, and stretch assignments help them get there
Regularly scheduled promotion review cycles for employees
Company-wide promotion reviews take place twice a year, which helps ensure promotion decisions are made fairly, consistently, and on a predictable cadence
Encourages lateral mobility to expand skills and impact
CarGurus supports lateral mobility so employees can explore new teams, grow their capabilities, and bring their experience to different parts of the business
Promote from within
We regularly fill open roles with internal candidates, rewarding strong performance and long-term impact with new scope and responsibility
Documented career progression frameworks
Role and level frameworks clearly define expectations, scope, and example behaviors at each stage of growth
Prioritizes promotion advancement based on impact
Promotion decisions are driven by a proven readiness for greater scope and responsibility, paired with a distinct business need aligned with the evolving demands of our org
Posts new positions internally and encourages employees to apply
We share open roles internally and support internal mobility through a structured, transparent process that helps Gurus explore new teams, roles, and career paths