CarGurus
CarGurus Compensation & Benefits
CarGurus Employee Perspectives
Our parental leave and gradual return policies for birthing parents were already great, and our feedback led to CarGurus expanding them for non-birthing parents as well. It also grew our partnership with Carrot Fertility, which provides adoption, fertility and other family-forming support.
Our benefits are very generous and thoughtful; they cover big things like health and dental of course, but also smaller details like commuting costs, gym memberships, and access to daycare and eldercare.
How does your company ensure its pay and bonus plans are competitive?
CarGurus’ unique culture and innovative work make it a great place to build a career. Fair and competitive compensation — including a market-aligned base salary, annual bonus and equity — provides the stability, reward and recognition that keep people engaged and motivated. We ensure our pay and incentive plans are equitable and competitive by regularly benchmarking our compensation and benefits programs against those of our peers and others in the tech industry. Our annual bonus plan reflects a mix of individual and company performance, reinforcing each individual’s role in helping us achieve our organizational goals. In our revenue organization, team members earn commission rather than an annual bonus, allowing these employees to feel their impact in real time.
What are your perks and benefits like?
CarGurus designs its perks and benefits to meet employees where they are, offering flexible, thoughtful support for their evolving lives, families and goals. We provide best-in-class medical, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, plus numerous offerings to support physical, mental and financial wellness. Parents in particular value our Care.com membership, as well as fertility health and family-forming benefits through Carrot. These complement a flexible hybrid workplace model and robust time off policies, including unlimited personal time off, a month-long paid sabbatical every five years, plus additional flex and mental health days throughout the year.
Office-based employees get $15 toward lunch delivery each day, up to $325 in commuting cost coverage and access to a 24/7 fitness center. Fun pop-ups like “Wellness Mondays” and “Bagel Fridays” make time in the office even more seamless and enjoyable. Offerings like a $1,250 Auto Perk credit toward a car purchase from one of our dealer-partners and tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 a year underscore our investment in our people at work and well beyond.
Does your employer offer stock or equity and is it considered competitive?
Yes, as part of our total compensation package, all full-time new hires across all levels at CarGurus receive equity in the form of “restricted stock units.” The RSU values move with our stock price and vest 25 percent annually over four years, with quarterly vesting starting after the first year.
We offer additional equity to select strong performers during our annual review cycle or upon promotions to ensure employees feel connected to our growth and recognized for their contributions. As with salary, bonus and commission, we regularly work with external experts to benchmark our equity awards against those of the broader market and peers in the tech industry to ensure they stay competitive and support our recruiting and retention goals.
CarGurus's Benefits
Designated President's Club
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
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
Provides relocation assistance
Relocation assistance is available depending on role level and location. Ask your recruiter for details
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 childcare benefits
Care.com membership gives Gurus access to babysitters, nannies, senior caregivers, home health aides, dog walkers, pet sitters, and more plus 8 free days of emergency backup care
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 a post-parental leave return-to-work program
Provides adoption assistance
All employees are eligible for 8 weeks of parental leave plus 4 weeks for adoption/foster care. We reimburse adoption expenses of up to $10K annually, up to $20K, through Carrot Fertility
Provides an onsite Mother's Room
Provides family medical leave
CarGurus has a private plan through SunLife, which provides benefit amounts above those available through the MA Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) program
Provides fertility benefits
To supplement BCBS coverage, all Gurus get fertility health and family-forming benefits through Carrot Fertility including adoption, in vitro fertilization, egg/sperm freezing, and menopause support
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 dental insurance
Our no-deductible dental coverage includes 4 cleanings a year and orthodontia coverage for children and adults
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 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 mental health benefits
Gurus get a free Headspace subscription, counseling/support services through our Employee Assistance Program, and access to guest speakers covering stress management, burnout prevention, and more
Offers pet insurance
Gurus love their furry, feathered, and scaly friends. We offer a pet insurance discount program through MetLife
Offers transgender health care benefits
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 401(K)
We offer traditional and Roth 401K plans through Fidelity with automatic enrollment after 30 days. CarGurus will match 50% of your contributions up to 8%. Employee contributions are always 100% vested
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
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 life insurance
We offer Basic Life and AD&D Insurance through Sun Life Financial, providing beneficiaries with 2X your annual earnings up to $500K. Add'l coverage can be purchased for spouse/kids/domestic partner
Provides 401(K) matching
CarGurus matches 50 cents of every dollar of your 401K contributions up to 8% of your eligible compensation. You're 50% vested after one year of employment, 100% vested after two
Provides hardship benefits
